Packard Forum Index » Project Blogs

Thursday 8th March, 2018

Replaced the original ornament with the Egyptian today. In removing the original from the bonnet(hood) noticed its "footprint" was larger than that of the Egyptian. The original was held on by 3 screws in lieu of the 4 required, the rearmost screw being missing. Once off cleaned up the bonnet from the accumulated grime hidden by the ornament. Then to the junk box for an appropriate screw and found one. But in fitting the Egyptian found that the fore and aft mounting lugs protruded through the bonnet by about 3/16". The rear lug on the original also protruded so that appears why it was missing a screw. Maybe there was a "special fastener" required for the rear lug? Or, was there a mounting/backing plate on the underside of the bonnet which I'm missing? But the front most lug on the original didn't protrude, instead it was recessed? Anyway, after finding a suitable screw proceeded to use some old fuel injection line and sliced spacers from it to fit the fore and aft lugs. Fitted perfectly.

Next, being underbonnet, refilled the front shocks again. Both left and right side shocks required 12mls to top them up. Can see where there's a leak on the right but the left, being hidden by the battery and tray has so far eluded leak detection. Thinking I'll have to have the front shocks rebuilt sooner rather than later. Otherwise it'll be costing me a small fortune in jack oil to keep them topped on an almost daily basis!

Concerning Egyptian Bonnet Ornaments I'm very happy with mine. Especially as this one has turned up on eBay, you can see the protruding lugs in the pic's there. In my opinion this ornament looks very inferior to the one I have.

Tomorrow, its off to pick up Bruce Blevins from his city hotel for dinner with some Aussie Packard people.

Click on the pic's for a bigger, better image.

Attach file:

---

  (56.58 KB)


  (14.46 KB)


  (37.98 KB)


  (43.83 KB)

... fore and aft mounting lugs protruded through the bonnet by about 3/16". The rear lug on the original also protruded so that appears why it was missing a screw.

What you're missing are the little pressed steel cups that went over the posts and then retained by the screw.

What you're missing are the little pressed steel cups that went over the posts and then retained by the screw.

They are called cup washers and Packard used a lot of them on moldings and also in mounting relays and other components. I have yet to find a retail source for those similar to the originals but if you want to order a few thousand of a particular size there are places that still make them.

"if you want to order a few thousand of a particular size there are places that still make them."
but NO I'll pass.

Hi Mal

Love the addition of the Egyptian hood ornament! Here's a photo of a decent original '48 Eight that turned up on the Buffalo, N.Y area Craigslist during September 2016 with the Egyptian hood ornament.

Glad you're again "The Man Who Owns One!"

Steve

Attach file:

---

  (65.88 KB)

There is (or perhaps was) a Website for identifying cars which had this ornament but since there were other errors on it, I presumed that this was another as I had never seen it before. It looked a lot like that of the early 1950s Fords so I thought the site's owner had gotten them mixed up but seeing it now close-up and installed, it is quite different and very nice looking! You made a great find in getting one in this condition although I also like the flying lady that you had, though perhaps not as classy.

The cupped washers mentioned should be the same on many of the ornaments, or at least very similar, as I know my Packards all use them.

Good Evening Mal...I'm just curious, can you comment on the drive-ability of your coupe as compared to the 23 series? Thanks, Ernie

Thursday 15th March, 2018

The Ides of March beware!

"can you comment on the drive-ability of your coupe as compared to the 23 series?"

Ernie,

Briefly, both are fairly similar in my estimation although both ride well with the 23rd Series a little "smoother", I think because of the different front suspension. Can't comment on the cornering, haven't done enough of that yet, while steering is comparable.

Your feeling the ride quality being near the same and maybe even favoring the 23rd is interesting. I had been under the impression that drivers thought Packard had taken a step backward when they implemented the new Clipper type in 41 over the supposedly superior SafeTFlex. I believe I remember some comments that Rolls Royce even implemented a version of the SafeTFlex because it was the best available.

Packard Safe-T-Flex appeared to work well on the 48 - 54 R-R and Bentley products in the contemporary Autocar Tests. Many are unaware of the Packard connection but react favourably to knowing that the suspension is linked to Packard Quality. PT