Re: What to do before I attempt to start our 1935 Eight?

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2016/4/28 8:29:41

Lots of good advice has been provided, let me emphasize a few points and add a bit more.

"Do no harm" is the mantra to follow when trying to start the engine for the first time in so many years. I'd say it's essential that you first drop the oil pan and clean it and clean the intake screen on the oil pump. What type of oil you use the first time isn't very important because after an hour or two of running, you should dump it and change again. I'd recommend you NOT use oils with viscosity index numbers above 40, the engine assuming it's in good condition is best served by thinner oils which move at much higher volumes - this is especially true on this engine for the cam follower rollers. If you can find it, a simple SAE 40 detergent oil is a good starting choice assuming you're starting with a relatively clean engine internally.

I don't know what batteries are available down there but here most folks with this series Packard go for a Group 4 Commercial Truck & Bus battery, more CCA than an Optima. NAPA 7210 was the preferred number a few years ago, it may have been renumbered since. Clean the terminals of course and remove and clean the ground cable where it attaches to the frame. Note that the battery correctly belongs under the front seats, not under the hood!

At some point in the future a full tune-up is probably in the cards, but at this point pull the distributor cap, file or burnish the ignition points to remove ancient oxidation, and regap. A new condenser would be adviseable - any universal ignition condenser will suffice, they don't much care about polarity, voltage, cylinders, etc. If the existing spark plugs look clean and have a proper gap I see no reason to change them at this point.

The fuel system is probably unserviceable so I'd go with the recommendation that you fit a handing gas can and feed the carburetor directly by gravity.

Put a couple of drops of oil in the water pump and generator oilers, and give the grease cup or oiler on the distributor a bit of lubrication. Check the fan belt tension. If you're ambitious, pull the large plug on the timing chain cover and check the tension on the chain - deflection of 1/2" or preferably a bit less either way is OK; adjustment is by pivoting the generator.

Before trying to start, see if the engine cranks over at uniform speed. If not, try the recommendation above of some oil in the cylinders. If it seems to turn over well, crank it with the ignition OFF until you see some movement of the oil pressure gauge before turning on the ignition.

If it starts, as soon as it's warmed up retorque the cylinder head bolts to about 63 lb-ft. Check for coolant and oil leaks. Listen for unusual or unexpected noises from the engine and take note of what kind of oil pressure is obtained.

Don't be at all surprised if when it starts it fails to run on all 8 cylinders, it's to be expected after that long storage that 1 or more valves will be "stuck" in the guides. That situation may resolve itself after running for a while, or may require some engine diaassembly to resolve at later time.

For some further ideas you might want to read this on The Packard Club forum:packardclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=859

Good luck! A fine car.

And yes, vacuum power boosted Bendix mechanical brakes and in proper order they are superb brakes. Before putting the car onto public highways you should pull all the drums, check the linings, drop the cables and lubricate the cables internally with a graphite/moly grease, grease the brake shoe tips and cams, etc., and do a good adjustment (not a trivial job!) - the brake adjustment procedure given in the 1934 Service Letters is excellent.

Assuming all goes well, engine has good oil pressure and runs on 8 cylinders, consider doing a compression check at some point, if for no other reason as a reference for the future.