Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Regarding the gauge, I agree it would be near impossible to find, and I don't think it is too awefully critical, compared to where I was before. Since the approximate range of motion is 90*, I think "between 30* and 45*" is roughly equivalent to 1/4 and half throttle, no? I used two tiny washers, trimmed with a dremel, as seen below. I now have continuity in the switch at around half throttle, which is way closer than I was, and I think an acceptable approximation. Woot!

Attach file:

---

  (65.77 KB)


  (50.35 KB)

Thanks for that, Jim. The cracks are actually in the intake manifold, where it bolts to the exhaust manifold for the heat riser. No sign of leaks yet.

Drove the car around the neighborhood for a couple of hours today. Had a good time and the car ran pretty smooth. I came upon a partially restored 1949 Lincoln parked in a driveway, and stopped and chatted with the owner for a bit.

One observation is that the transmission makes a Horrific noise when coasting, in second gear. Sounds like loose bearing and gears banging and scraping around in there! Any ideas?

Attach file:

---

  (104.11 KB)

Is this where my transmission drain plug is? LOL!

Attach file:

---

  (110.62 KB)

That looks familiar

Alright Gents, I got the car titled and registered today! So to celebrate, I took the wife out for a drive. After about 5 miles its got hardly any oil pressure. Upon start up, it has ~ 40 lbs at idle. It's fresh rotella 15w40. What does this indicate???

Was there any noise and had the oil pan been dropped and screen cleaned? Not knowing what type oil you had before, any chance the new oil is detergent and the old was not so a load of sludge is now sitting in the pan blocking the pickup screen? I found out the hard way on a V8 that high detergent oil was not a good idea on an old engine with no history & just coming out of a long slumber.

I would definitely rule that scenario out. You could drain a quart or two of oil and check the condition. If it is new oil and black as tar then a good possibility. Another thing I would do is put on a mechanical gauge in addition to the original electric gauge just to rule out sender issues.

Howard, as always, thank you for the reply. No, I have not dropped the pan, and I don't know what type of oil was previously used. I'll try to drain some today and see what comes out.

Howard, looks like you were right. I drained the oil and it was black as can be, several gloops of gunk came out, and I could feel the sludge in the pan with my finger. I added fresh oil, and still no oil pressure on start up. I added about a pint of kerosene and with a rev, the op climbed to about 20-30 psi. I drained that oil and added fresh again, and took it for a spin. At speed, I get about 30 psi. But when I come to a stop, the pressure falls again to near zero. I think I'll add kerosene, let it run for a bit, and change the oil again. Is it a pipe dream that I'll get pressure this way? I'd like to drop and clean the pan, but I'm crunched for time at the moment. We are moving at the end of the month, and I can't really tear the car apart, yet I need it drive able.

With the reading falling back to near zero you could have some serious wear -- but it could be just the gauge reading. I believe the idle spec is something like 5-7psi or at least that is the low point range as given by the aftermarket people for some of the idiot light replacement senders used on later engines.

I'd be very careful on the Kerosene though and keep a close eye on what pressure there is. With Kerosene being so thin and almost no lubricating ability, it wouldn't take much to do some damage. I had only added a pint to some high detergent oil and gone less than a mile before my engine started complaining. Of course, it turned out to be in fairly sad shape anyway but the crap coming loose and blocking the oil intake didn't help. What life I could have gotten out of the engine was cut short by my own lack of foresight.

I know it's no fun taking the pan off but as things to do go, that is not one of the worst jobs and cleaning out all the sediment might be the only option. If you get prepared and have the gasket ahead of time, it could be done in an afternoon.