Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Let me be a little more elaborate I was driving the car at the middle of november and even though I could hear the blower running no air or heat was coming out of the vent under the dashboard I am wondering if something is blocking the flow of air. does anyone have a diagram of the heater box under the dashboard?

All you need is hot water & Air. I have found that the air "flapper" control cable can hang up, likely from corrosion? You will find the cable attaches to the heater box's right side & you may be able to manipulate the air door by hand.

Look this over,
https://www.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/servicemanual5556/Sect3_Accessories.pdf

Henry discussed some of it as well,
https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=653&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=1910

Quote:

First thing you'll want to check is the baffle flap operation that brings outside into the heater. This baffle is located under the black box on the passenger side of your firewall. It is largely composed of a metal flap with rubber edges that rotates in the stovepipe under the heater.

Several things can and DO happen here on Packards from the 1950s....
? Leaves, dirt, debris and even critters like mice can block the baffle flapper and cause it to stick in position.

? The control cable operation from the driver's HVAC controls can become detached from the flapper... or can get bound up or kinked... or just be set in the wrong position to allow air in.

? Flex couplings (similar to what today you'll find on clothes dryer vents) can deteriorate, dislodge or just plain be missing on the heater intake. Always check these since they can also allow potentially dangerous fumes from the engine compartment to enter the HVAC and cabin if missing, dislodged or deteriorated-and they often are, especially after all these years..

For the condition you describe, you'll want to check these items first.

If the under hood flapper is OK I found issue in an earlier 56 with the heat/defrost flapper inside the plenum under the dash. Mine looked like it might have been a folded strip of the tarpaper like cardboard material Packard used in lots of places. It was wrapped around the metal crank part and then stapled in place. Age or whatever had caused the cardboard to crack and would no longer move with the crank. Gravity and air pressure kept it in the down or defrost position..