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A P-III? WOW! I'd be interested in hearing in a PM about your experiences with that engine - I've heard so much controversy about it's durability - the concensus of those that rebuild them for a living seems to be that they are overly complicated and not particulary long-lived.

Apologies for going "non-Packard" and off-topic, but are you familiar with this 39 P-III by Henri LaBourdette?

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Very familiar with the Labourdette P III, couold have bought it at auction at the Nassau County (NY) Coliseum in about 1972 for $30,000. It was metalic maroon and gorgeous.

Did Packiard ever build a time meachine?

what a gorgeous car, color and all. Fantastic.

Cortcomp, given your interest, here's a few more photos of the P-III. But then we should return to the original topic or start a new thread. Hopefully you guys have also followed the thread on AACA about custom-bodied Packards - there are some really terrific cars shown there.

I really am anxious to hear the finale on the 41 356 engine problem (as I'm sure is the owner). Apologies for digressing (again).

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Familiar with the car? Well, I have only seen it once. 1939 PIII Labourdette Cabriolet, which I have also seen mentioned as Vutotal. Chassis nr is 3DL120.... (these crazy RR guys always go by chassis nr.). I only have one pic in it's former marroon color, enclosed, but have a few more. In case you would like me to send them, contact me directly please.

About the engines, I have heard horror stories about their complexity and I know RR never issued manuals for it as according to them it could only be serviced by their shop. Luckily there is a great club and some people devoted hours to creating such a manual, and even a book on the engine.

In my case, I was lucky. My car is a '37 model, rebodied in 1952 by Freestone and Webb as a coupe (pic enlclosed), but had seen a lack of general maintenance for over 30 years. I contacted the appropiate people, found out what I needed to check and decided to get the car. Luckily, the engine was mostly good, and with lots of cleaning (overheating) and timing and ignition checks, the car now runs like a charm. I have only driven once a Packard 12, and I couldn't say which could be better. The RR is truly a majestic car, silky, powerfull but perhaps not as silent as the Packard. Both are fabulous cars.... but the same is not true for the smaller RR being made in the same years. I own a 1937 25/30 and, even though it is a great quality car, it cannot compare to a senior Packard.... perhaps only to a 110, but don't tell that to any RR guy!

Back to Packards...

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and a pic of how it is today... lowsy pic with my cel phone.

Then, a pic of the '41 Lebaron Sport Brougham with the engine problems, so we get back on topic ;- )

It is car no. 66 out of 99, so it sits at exactly 2/3rds of production.

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Victor,

many thanks for adding --> another color to the game.

Okay, back on topic.

I have a lot of experience with this problem - sticky valves.

What is happening is the valve stems are pitted and full of varnish.

To verify: start the car, raise to fast idle, and judiciously feed the motor Gumout. The missing should improve.

Since your case is not severe enough to cause clatter then dropping the oil pan and switching to detergent oil 10w-30 may stop the problem without laying up the car.

The other solution is new valves and guides, although some long time owners I knew in the old days were able to eliminate the problem by dressing each valve stem with emery cloth and reassembling.

Good luck.

Also, my experience with RR P-II and III is that, when they are driven and maintained as directed by RR, they had longevity that was marvelous and a quality of machine and materials technology that was the best in the world. RR more than any other achieved close to true hydro-dynamic lubrication and that in itself is monumental.

Tim:

You are giving me a lot of hope, thanks a lot! Sticky valves could surely be the problem. The car sat with the engine just done and probably only started a few times, for about 30 years.

I will try to find Gumout (which I am not familiar with) or some equivalent and do just as you suggest, first. Then, I will also do the 10W30 detergent oil... hopefully that will help solve the problem. I have to admit I am terrified to look at valves and or remove head particularly on this car, because of it's front end bod construction, in which you nearly have to take half of the car off to access the engine properly.

Thanks for the comments on RR engines and their lubrication system. I had no idea they had such a wonderful system. They are truly great quality cars.

Thanks for your help,
victor

Victor, have you by chance tested the engine with a vacuum gauge? If not that might help narrow down the potential problem.http://autospeed.com/cms/title_Using-a-Vacuum-Gauge-for-Engine-Diagnostics/A_2393/article.html