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

No reason to be concerned about using solvents for the oiled mesh-type filters or those which use a copper or brass mesh. But Tim offers a valid concern, the filter under discussion uses a natural product, kapok (from the kapok tree) and I'd limit myself to gentle solvents like gasoline, kerosene, and related solvents. I find charcoal lighter fluid to be the best - it's essentially odorless and has the same solvency properties as kerosene.

I finally got the filter apart. There was a cork gasket in there that was really stuck. Got it all cleaned and reinstalled.

Hi I just purchased a 1951 model 200 that had been restored about twenty years ago. I am just starting the TLC to get her running properly again. I believe that the engine had been rebuilt into a 327 ci. I noticed that the engine number starts with an H. Does that mean it has hydrolic lifters? Anyway I want to service the air cleaner, and I have not tried too hard to separate the upper and lower halves as I didn't know anything about it until I read these post. thank you very much! I was taught to never force something unless I know for sure that it had to be. Is the screw on the side of the air cleaner to drain out the oil before separation? I don't feel any slosh when I wiggle the air cleaner so I am thinking that there isn't any oil in it now. Should I get a friend to help me pull the halves about? Thanks for any suggestions

G'day 8iron,
to PackardInfo and congratulations on your ownership of a '51 200. I invite you to include it in the Packard Owner's Registry.

Regarding your engine number question, I doubt the H suffix indicates hydraulic lifters, Rather, from the Packard Engine Serial Number Reference on this Site, it would indicate it's a '49 or '50 288 or 327, depending on the actual number and neither of which had hydraulics. Concerning the air cleaner, I'll leave that to those more experienced with this year/model but, in the meantime, don't force anything.

Without a picture we don't know which type of air filter you have, it could be either an oiled mesh, or an oil bath. See pictures below. The oiled mesh type does not come apart other than removing the mesh itself to clean and reoil, and the hole on the side may be threaded for a support rod.

Since your engine is from a 23rd series (the "H" prefix) it may or may not have one of the filters shown as these are for 1951/52.

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My air cleaner is like the one in the upper photo, I guess this is called a vertical air cleaner. There is a mesh screen around the opening that is removable. Other than that it appears sealed. The engine number is H263496 it was rebuilt in 89 and driven maybe 1000 since then. The engine has a tag from the rebuilder stating bore +.40 rods +.10 mains +.10. The receipts show new or rebuild starter, generator, distributator, carb, etc. I traded a 480c Case backhoe for it, and had it shipped down from Eugene Or, to Grass Valley Ca. The carb is gummed up and I had to be towed back from drive to gas station. So I am going to service lube everything before Imtake it out again. Hurray for AAA!

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Having trouble looking at the pic, so swung it around.

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8iron, why not just get a modern pleated paper air filter element to replace the mesh one? You should be able to find one at your local auto parts store. Just take the mesh one with you and match it up. Of course, if you want to keep it original/authentic, or enjoy doing period correct servicing, then you will want to service the mesh filter. The pleated paper is a better filter than the mesh, and requires no servicing.

(o{}o)

Away From Home, that seems a reasonable idea. I am trying to made it safe and dependable to drive for now without getting too far from the original look. The oiled mesh doesn't seem like much protection for the carb. Is the rest of the air cleaner just to silence the air intake noise?