Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

also the solenoid housing is brown, and the other is black. please tell me this has no bearing.

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I have only seen black solenoid and valve housings but as long as there is no obvious damage such as might be caused if the solenoid burned it should be OK. Perhaps some chemical was sprayed near the washer and somehow colored it. You might apply 12v to the solenoid and make sure it clicks before you get completely finished with the rebuild though.

The important colored part is the cap. As long as that cap is original it should be the proper washer. When that style washer was introduced in 54 the units were 6v and caps were black. That black cap carried over to the very first 55's but the confusion that quickly developed between 6 and 12v units both having black caps caused a change to the red cap for the 12v version.

On the length of the inlet pipe, as long as the washer will fit in the jar with the longer tube without hitting the bottom I would leave it long since you will be able to draw more of the fluid out before the level drops below the tube.

Thank you so much! I did test the solenoid before I dismantled the pump. it did click, so hopefully all is well. BigKev's "how to" is really helpful. still looking for the lid gasket material, no luck locally so I may have to try the McMaster route and get some selections shipped up

again, thank you

I don't have an answer on the solenoid but do try to determine somehow if one might be 6v. The pulsing washers were used then too.

On the shorter pickup, have several of both and at least one of mine had the remnant of a hose so if the long one hits bottom, that might be something to consider.

Ohhh.................I just assumed because it had a red cap.............I am clueless as to how to determine 6v from 12v in this instance. But will keep reading and searching.

Thank you

Red cap is the 12 volt solenoid. See attached diagram.

dp

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Does anyone know if the Nu-matic vacuum only version was ever used on Packards. Could it have been a low cost option never offered or something intended for the 57 models? Reason for asking is a well known Trico vendor had a vacuum only wiper control switch for sale. No electrical provisions in the switch at all. As far as I know they never used anything but the electric Mag-Nu-Matic but am very curious if the vacuum only version was ever seen.

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I can't speak directly for 1955-1956 but for 1951-1954 the washer was an extra-cost accessory and the pulsing washer was an add-on to that so yes, it was available that way as the basic washer. I have several cars with that type.

Up until sometime in 54 there were vacuum only models but I have never seen the coordinator that came to Packards in 54 with anything but the electric Mag-Nu-Matic version. There is one other photo of the 55-6 switch that has a date for pilot production on the tag but I cannot quite make it out. It seems to be very late in 56 production though for them to have offered very many of them.

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