And then there's this "thing"

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercury-Cougar-COUGAR-XR7-1996-MERCURY-COUGAR-XR7-PACKARD-KIT-/370505865507?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item5643ded923#ht_843wt_856

Hey Flackmaster! Long time, no barter, you got a lighter for me yet? (need 3 but one will suffice) The Pickle is running like a champ, as usual. Had it out last week bombing around town in style, went fishing with the kids and everything. My wife was gonna take it the other night down town but it rained. I said go anyway, but the vacuum wipers freak her out a little. Sure do wish I had overdrive, 50, 55 is just plain dangerous around here on the highway. I had enough interest in the posted car above to speak with this gentleman, talk about the car, and learned the whole situation. I had advised this fellow to sell the car as is, rather than undertake some potentially expensive service and/or repairs, only to realize a profit delta of a maybe not even break even scenario. This coupled with the idea that the truly interested buyer will know what he's looking at, and will want to perform these things on his own terms. There is some damage to the grille shell, on top in front, and along the bottom corners, into the shutters on one side. However, it appears to be a very original, complete model 1282, with overdrive. And a radio. I guess maybe I like it because it's like my car, but have been realistic in my appraisal of 6 to 7K, based on what I see, just as it sits.

Yikes! 20 grand? I guess this two door is a steal!


http://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/1737128164.html

Well, just thought I'd update this with my findings. After much examination, experimentation, wondering, hoping and praying, the condition as first described initially cannot be replicated or repeated. I have done everything humanly possible and still, NO LEAK. I did not remove the head, add anything to the coolant, recite any poetry or wave the magic wand over anything. To sum it all up, it really did just fix itself, my wife thinks the car is haunted. I guess it will have to be another one of those things I "keep my eye on". Happy Driving!

Cylinder head is the standard cast iron according to the casting # reference in the shop manual. This has me wondering a few things though. In a blown gasket situation, would not the coolant pretty much have to flood the combustion chamber to exibit the condition I observe? If so, wouldn't it run poorly, ie skipping, sputtering, and a white plume out the back? It doesn't. Further, if the above were the case, would there not be coolant in the oil? There isn't. I am starting to think the head is cracked through the water jacket to the plug recess on #2. I will go out later and closely examine this area (with my glasses on) to see what I can find out.

Thanks guys, your responses have helped ease my mind of some of those pesky what-ifs. About 200 miles ago, when I did the water pump, I had checked the head nuts and they were OK. As far as I can ascertain, the gasket is at least 50 years old. My history of the first owner up to 1952 is limited to a name and address only. Anyway, I'll run down some parts and pop that off there. I'm more than a little curious to look in there too, just to see. Doesn't look like a bad job either, the hard part is the weight. Is the gasket copper?

Thanks Rusty, kind of what I figured (and hoped!) I did notice some minor bubbling between the head and block in that area this past fall and knew the time was short. Nothing in the oil though, but I'm sure thats not far behind... BTW, what does that head weigh anyway? (245 Six) I only ask because this is primarily a one-man job (me).

Took the old Packard for a spin around town this afternoon, it was a nice dry day here in Connecticut. The car ran great as usual. When we got home, everyone went inside and I did my typical nose around under the hood, you know; oil, coolant, just look at it, etc. I noticed coolant ponding in the #2 spark plug recess, about deep enough to reach the hex on the plug. I sopped that out and started it back up and noticed what appears to be steam venting from around the plug threads, as far as I can tell. That can't be good, bad gasket? Cracked head? Any thoughts? It's a new one on me. The coolant is tested down to -45 degrees F, I think the low all year has been 6 above. Thanks!

True. The 245 Packard Six is one of the finest engines ever built in my opinion. Mine is as smooth and quiet as any inline six (modern included) in existence. I had it side by side with a 51 Rolls this last fall and it was better. You have to see the fan spinning to even tell its running. Nobody but Packard ever made them like this.

This could be a deal for somebody.



http://www.petergariepy.com/cars-for-sale/19-1956-packard-clipper-