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Hi all, especially Mal and Noel. Well, after a long and stressful day, made more pleasant with Mal and Noel riding shotgun, we got the 38 Twelve back to Canberra around 8pm, well and truly dark after a 6 hr drive (2 hrs in the dark). The 35/35 Watt headlights do not "cut the mustard" at 60 mph on narrow, twisty, unlit roads, with kangaroos just waiting to play the "chicken" game. In/around Canberra, approximately every third vehicle accident involves a kangaroo. I know that it is very non PC (politically correct), but they are similar to pedestrians and vary in mass from 70 to 300 lbs and can inflict an enormous amount of damage to vehicles, especially to motorcyclists. I have always wanted a Twelve with some provenance and I hope that I now have one. I am hoping to find some "evidence" to prove this vehicle link to Lionel Barrymore and would appreciate it if anyone who has such info could contact me. Meanwhile, I have quite a few items to adjust for the local conditions and Ann and I hope to enjoy the Twelve for many years. We now have the 16th Series almost covered, with examples of a 1600, 1601D, 1603, 1605 and 1608. P. S. I got used to the LHD steering very quickly after about 400 metres when I clipped a gutter. Those 7.50 X 16 Cokers are too d@+#n expensive to scrape! Best regards Peter Toet

Tuesday 22nd May 2012

Yesterday, while yours truely had been away with the Twelve, Wade had been painting parts for the 356 as well as installing the valves, springs, retainers and keepers as well as putting on the tappet covers. He'd also started on the distributor which is what I found him at this morning. Re-assembly of the distributor internal centrifugal weights interspersed with more cleaning of the plate and it's components before it too was re-installed. The re-installation included a set of points of mine which happened to fit, bought off eBay a few years ago. Didn't include the new rotor you gave me yesterday Noel, it was the wrong one, so instead will use the rotor I supplied last week. And Noel, Wade says if you want to change the colour of the vacuum advance that's fine by him, so bring your paintbrush. Although, not "correct", I like the effect the colour gives. I did say I went to a Hot Rod club reunion on Sunday, must still be some of that running through the veins!

Then it was onto having another go at installing the clutch. Relatively easy this time round probably because the replacement clutch fork supplied by Noel last week fitted. The MBM dummy spigot shaft also worked well. The only drawback was it's fondness for falling apart because of it's construction, but that was a minor and not terribly inconvenient hiccup to bear for the utility it provided. Also scrounged up some short bolts from the junk box, the two long ones came with the 356 stuff, and bolted the bottom bellhousing cover on. Although it will have to come off later when the trans is bolted on and the throw-out bearing and spring need to be installed. Also started rounding up enough sump bolts but that turned into a futile exercise. So Noel, looks like you'll have an errand to run to Lee Bros for 2 dozen bolts as well as one long oil pump bolt. Although most oil pump bolts were with the 356 parts there was one short.

Before installing the clutch Wade wanted to reinforce the top of the mobile engine assembly table. To do this outside we went where the business next door has a whole row of stuff along one wall which is rubbish and we were told we could use anything we want. Good, found something with a steel frame perfect for what we wanted. But, when almost back to the workshop, we get pulled up by one of the guys from next door. We can have anything from there BUT not that one thing! Turns out it belongs to some machinery they are trying to sell so it had to go back. Instead found another piece which worked out well. At least they didn't call the law!

While I cleaned up Big Reds valves, Wade turned to cleaning and inspecting the 356's oil pump. Looks excellent but won't be re-assembled until the proper gasket and the necessary bolt are obtained. And Noel, mentioned to Wade about the fuel pump kit so he'll take up on the running for that. Also some clean up of the work area because, with Big Reds engine lying around in pieces, bench space was at a premium. Managed to clear about two half bench tops, but wonder how long that'll last? Then cleaned up Big Reds sump and a few other parts. In addition to taking Big Reds flywheel, clutch, balancer, etc to Tamworth for balancing after the crankshaft is ground Wade will be taking the sump(for cleaning). Apparently they have a real good aluminium parts cleaning process. And new rods have been ordered from the US, but more about those later as there's a 8 week lead time on them.

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Mal, the gasket thickness for the oil pump bottom plate is critical to the pump providing enough pressure. I used a gasket made out of printer paper for the one on my '47's 356. There was a discussion about this some time back. Enjoying the blog. Thanks.

(o[]o)

Wednesday 23rd May 2012

Not a lot of action at the workshop to start with. While Wayne removed the head studs from Big Reds original block I scraped the silicone gasket material off the sump following it's cycle through the parts washer. Wade has decided to see if the original block is salvageable 'cause it's had a lot of work on it. Besides the sleeves there are hardened valve seats, K-liners in the valve guides and new cam bearings. Next week Wade will be taking a load of Big Red engine parts north so Barry's rebuilder has everything necessary for the work he's going to perform.

Also found the bonnet(hood) panel for The Fossil had returned with Steve the panelbeater. But it wasn't ready to go on in fact that's what he was doing, beating the panel. Steve's not happy with it, saying there's a dip in one part, though neither Wade or I can see it, and a very slight kink at one edge, we can see that! Anyway he's going to have another go at the panel tomorrow and when he's happy, Wade'll be happy.

And we were honoured today by not one, but two visits from Noel! The first, Noel brought over the pointer for the timing marks on the harmonic balancer, and left with two requests to fulfill. The hardware to be sourced from Lee Bros and a list of the remaining engine parts Wade needs to finish the 356 assembly. Reason being, Wade would be a lot happier to run the finished engine rather then send back what would essentially be a short block assembly. Noel is happy to accommodate this change of plans. And to be able to do that, when the time comes, the rolling chassis will be trailered over and the engine/trans assembly fitted and fired up. Noel's second visit was unexpected, but it's good he did because with most of the parts from the list, it then kept me busy for the remainder of the afternoon cleaning parts in preparation for painting and further engine assembly.

EDIT - Quote:John,
I remember that thread, for continuing to think of us. An MBM gasket will not be used for such a critical part, instead the correct gasket will be sourced and used.

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Mal,

You can make an oil pump cover gasket easy enough. I think the word of caution is not to use thick gasket material. I made one out of printer paper, and the pump is functioning fine.

Interesting that you had to use a different clutch release lever to get the new clutch installed when the original one obviously fit before. There is a trick to installing the clutch, and I believe it is described in the service manual. I hope the lighter release lever works on the heavy 11" 356 clutch.

Take care,

(o[]o)

Thursday 24th May 2012

Not a particularly exciting day. More parts cleaning then painting with POR-15. And a trip over to Lee Bros for another lot of nuts and bolts. And John, Wade will be making an oil pump gasket tomorrow. Apparently the thin gasket usually comes only with the rebuild kit, which isn't required, so MBW will swing into action seeing I can't be there tomorrow.

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Mal,

You will most likely need to prime the oil pump before starting the engine. I recommend filling the pump gear chamber with a light grease before installing the MBM gasket and cover. Others here may have other suggestions for assuring that the pump picks up oil and is working before the engine is started. Maybe Wade has already thought about this, bet he has.

(o[]o)

Quote:John,

You win your bet, Wade has already thought of this! But it'll be a MBW gasket and not a MBM.

Then, taking a step back in time, yesterday you said this:
Quote:Had a look for a service manual here on Site and found this 1940 160-180 Preliminary Shop Manual but it doesn't seem to contain the description you refer to. And, I don't know whether Noel has a 1941 Manual for his Coupe. Plus you have piqued Wade's interest with a message to me "...On the bottom of page 113...JW posted...referring to clutch installation and a reference to the Service manual...Would you have a chance to have a search for it or maybe request on the site for the relevant information?..." Wade wants to get this right so because of my failure to find a manual can you, or any other learned PackardInfo member, shed further light on this aspect of 356 clutches and their installation? Attached are pic's of the two clutch forks.

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Do you apply POR with a brush or spray?

Friday 25th May 2012

Didn't expect to get to the workshop today because of donating blood plasma this morning, but the best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley(see seventh verse!). Was I surprised when I arrived, there were almost enough PACA members for a meeting! Besides Noel, who was delivering another round of parts for the 356, also there were Russ and John, Treasurer and President respectively along with Wade and myself(Secretary)! Wade had disassembled the windchimes and installed some of the parts on the 356. Wade had also fielded a call from Richard, Emily's Dad, and come Monday laden with parts AND tools Emily will be brought back to life. Noel left carrying the 356's carb and rebuild kit and will drop that into Tim at Carburettor Service Co for the professional touch.

Quote:
My answer is, with a brush. Goes on easily and dries to a great finish, dependent of course on preparation and the quality of the surface its being applied to. A word of caution, don't get it on your skin. Gloves and other protective clothing are highly recommended because, once on, it won't come off!

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