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I have been working on the engine lately. The heads are in place and and the intake has been clean up. I got the rocker assemblies back from Michiana Packard this weekend and they look great. Its exciting to be taking parts off the shelf after 2 1/2 years. I am trying to get the engine painted before the humidity sets in this summer.

Have also got the front half of the new fuel lines in place.

I cleaned up all the head bolts this week. All of them looked nearly new except for one (seen below) . Is there a bolt that passes through the water jacket? All that rust pitting has to have a reason. I guess if that were true I would have 2 rusty bolts.

I saw in another thread that there is an Edlebrock carb that can dropped in. I have to say I am giving this some thought. I have nothing against the original carb but the Edlebrock has some advantages for me.

1. I can get one fairly cheap compared to having the origianl rebuilt.

2. Since I am installing a 700R4 trans I have to install a TV cable. Bob Bendtsen told me in an email that a tab has to be welded to the card to connect the TV cable. His actual words were, "This tab gets welded to the carb. Carefully! It is extremely close to the intake. Must take care that there is still clearance after installing."

I know I can buy the connection tab he is referring to that will easily mount to the Edlebrock without welding. This way I save the original carb and not risk damaging it.

So, I can save $$$ and the carb, Later I can get the original carb rebuilt and maybe even buy a second intake. I am also keeping the original trans for the future if needed.

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Anyone know of a good parts match for the manifold water inlet flange (houses the thermostat). Mine can't is rusted through. Group 5.19127 / Part 440393

I can call Max's tomorrow but was wondering if there is a suitable match out there somewhere from another auto maker.

I would post a photo but my phone is not cooperating with me today.

Thanks

I don't know of any modern xref item and Max shows a used one and says inquire in his listing. If he doesn't have them SoCal PI region did some brass repros and may still have some.http://www.packards-today.com/catalog.php?CID=7

Get the brass one. I did. It's top notch, but it takes a bit to get it shipped.

The water outlet on my '97 Ram fits perfectly :)

That would be a useful addition to the xref and a pic would be good too.

Good to know. $10-15 is far better than $70.. In photos of the 97 Ram outlet on Amazon would appear it's taller with a reduced diameter area for the hose placement. Does the Packard hose have to fit in the reduced area or will it slide down to be more in line with the original outlet location?

I stopped by NAPA on the way home and ordered one for 97 Dodge Ram.
Should be in tomorrow.
Its $9.99 from NAPA.
Its $90.00 from Max's for one that is original & used.
I'll let you know how it goes.

I picked up the water inlet from NAPA this morning. It's cast aluminum and about 1.5" taller then the original. The bolt holes are a very close match but not close enough to bolt right on. Also the bolt holes are two small.

Hopefully I can drill out the holes to make then larger and that, in turn, will align them better with the original. I think it will be usable unless someone gives me a reason why that extra height is going to effect something else later on.

I'll keep you posted.

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Can you cut the extra height off?