Re: What to do before I attempt to start our 1935 Eight?
Posted by Ozstatman On 2016/4/27 19:49:47
G'day John(JMc),
to PackardInfo, and good to see another Aussie on board. In reply to your questions:
Do I need to wash the fuel tank? Is there a guide to doing that? - Probably, but at the least drain all the old fuel out it'll be really stale and will stink. Be careful in undoing the plug under the tank, over the years it's probably stuck and will prove difficult to start turning. Use some penetrating fluid and "hold" the boss it's in so that doesn't try to turn, if it does you'll have a real problem. As to cleaning the tank, depending on what comes out if it doesn't appear to be too gooey or have flakes of rust or other crud in it, just flush with clean fuel until it too is running clean.
Do I need to flush and clean the radiator and cooling jacket? Is there a guide to that? - Probably not at this stage, presume it to be OK until proven otherwise.
Do I need to clean the fuel lines, pump, carburettor? How are those tasks done? - After the time it's been sitting, Yes. Disconnect the line between the tank and fuel pump and flush with a cleaning fluid, I've used Brake cleaner, then blow out with compressed air. The fuel pump and carb, after sitting for so long with old fuel in them, have probably "gummed up" as the fuel has evaporated. They should be removed, taken apart, cleaned and new kits(gaskets, valves, etc) used in putting them back together. Saying that, you never know, but you might get away with not doing that, there seem to be plenty of stories of "I just added fuel and a new battery and it started right up".
What fuel do I buy? It used to run on leaded super. - Just run it on 91 or 95 or 98 Unleaded. Avoid the "modern" fuels with ethanol in them. If you like you can add a lead additive, available from the service station when you buy your fuel, but probably not needed for these old engines
New 6V battery... any particular spec/source? Buy the one with the biggest CCA(Cold Cranking Amps) rating you can find that'll fit. Sorry can't help with a local supplier(I'm email a PACA member in Tassie who might be able to advise of a local supplier). See in your picture your battery has been moved into the engine compartment, the purists will "tut tut" over that! But don't worry, I too have done that and I use an Optima battery(another "tut tut" too).
Do I need to do anything to the distributor/leads? - Probably, but at this point of time, if it was running fine when last started, I'd leave these.
Do I replace the spark plugs? - Yes, won't hurt and a fresh set of correctly gapped plugs will assist starting if nothing else.
Do I need to check compression? Is that a possible task for a home hack without proper tools? - Probably a good thing to do this as often, after sitting for some time, valves can stick open. All you need is a compression gauge to fit your spark plug thread, gauge should be available at motor parts suppliers. But.....I'd probably hold off on doing that until you get the engine at least turning over. If it fires but doesn't want to contine running, or runs very roughly, I'd then look at that.
Do I need to replace the old black oil... there seems to be plenty in the sump? - Although its termed black gold, the stuff that goes into our old engines usually is a golden colour. It's the effects of running that turns it black with combustion by-products contaminating it. So - change it! I use PenriteWPR30(10W-40) 
see pic below instead,(Age isn't helping my memory!) as does my mate Wade who has a similar engine to yours in his Packard. I see, at least here, that Supercheap Auto here has Penrite on special this weekend. The other thing here is you should drop the sump and clean out the build up of sludge that's accumulated, it's surprising how much there can be. At least, drop the little round inspection plate at the bottom of the sump, and after doing that visually and manually(by feel and with something flexible to reach inside) inspect the inside of the sump.
Is there anything I've missed? - Like many of my answers - "Probably"
Is there one good web source for how to start up an old neglected engine? If so, my apologies if I've wasted your time here. This Website, which has lots of knowledgeable, experienced and friendly Packard people is as good as any in my opinion! Also the PAC Website is another great Packard Website. There are plenty of threads with people asking similar questions on both sites, so give the search facilities a work out!
Now for something different:
I invite you to include your '35 Packard in the Packard Owner's Registry
As Secretary of PACA, mentioned earlier, it would be remiss of me not to invite you to join PACA where there are also lots of knowledgeable, experienced and friendly Packard people!
Attach file:
(34.42 KB)
to PackardInfo, and good to see another Aussie on board. In reply to your questions:Do I need to wash the fuel tank? Is there a guide to doing that? - Probably, but at the least drain all the old fuel out it'll be really stale and will stink. Be careful in undoing the plug under the tank, over the years it's probably stuck and will prove difficult to start turning. Use some penetrating fluid and "hold" the boss it's in so that doesn't try to turn, if it does you'll have a real problem. As to cleaning the tank, depending on what comes out if it doesn't appear to be too gooey or have flakes of rust or other crud in it, just flush with clean fuel until it too is running clean.
Do I need to flush and clean the radiator and cooling jacket? Is there a guide to that? - Probably not at this stage, presume it to be OK until proven otherwise.
Do I need to clean the fuel lines, pump, carburettor? How are those tasks done? - After the time it's been sitting, Yes. Disconnect the line between the tank and fuel pump and flush with a cleaning fluid, I've used Brake cleaner, then blow out with compressed air. The fuel pump and carb, after sitting for so long with old fuel in them, have probably "gummed up" as the fuel has evaporated. They should be removed, taken apart, cleaned and new kits(gaskets, valves, etc) used in putting them back together. Saying that, you never know, but you might get away with not doing that, there seem to be plenty of stories of "I just added fuel and a new battery and it started right up".
What fuel do I buy? It used to run on leaded super. - Just run it on 91 or 95 or 98 Unleaded. Avoid the "modern" fuels with ethanol in them. If you like you can add a lead additive, available from the service station when you buy your fuel, but probably not needed for these old engines
New 6V battery... any particular spec/source? Buy the one with the biggest CCA(Cold Cranking Amps) rating you can find that'll fit. Sorry can't help with a local supplier(I'm email a PACA member in Tassie who might be able to advise of a local supplier). See in your picture your battery has been moved into the engine compartment, the purists will "tut tut" over that! But don't worry, I too have done that and I use an Optima battery(another "tut tut" too).
Do I need to do anything to the distributor/leads? - Probably, but at this point of time, if it was running fine when last started, I'd leave these.
Do I replace the spark plugs? - Yes, won't hurt and a fresh set of correctly gapped plugs will assist starting if nothing else.
Do I need to check compression? Is that a possible task for a home hack without proper tools? - Probably a good thing to do this as often, after sitting for some time, valves can stick open. All you need is a compression gauge to fit your spark plug thread, gauge should be available at motor parts suppliers. But.....I'd probably hold off on doing that until you get the engine at least turning over. If it fires but doesn't want to contine running, or runs very roughly, I'd then look at that.
Do I need to replace the old black oil... there seems to be plenty in the sump? - Although its termed black gold, the stuff that goes into our old engines usually is a golden colour. It's the effects of running that turns it black with combustion by-products contaminating it. So - change it! I use Penrite
see pic below instead,(Age isn't helping my memory!) as does my mate Wade who has a similar engine to yours in his Packard. I see, at least here, that Supercheap Auto here has Penrite on special this weekend. The other thing here is you should drop the sump and clean out the build up of sludge that's accumulated, it's surprising how much there can be. At least, drop the little round inspection plate at the bottom of the sump, and after doing that visually and manually(by feel and with something flexible to reach inside) inspect the inside of the sump. Is there anything I've missed? - Like many of my answers - "Probably"
Is there one good web source for how to start up an old neglected engine? If so, my apologies if I've wasted your time here. This Website, which has lots of knowledgeable, experienced and friendly Packard people is as good as any in my opinion! Also the PAC Website is another great Packard Website. There are plenty of threads with people asking similar questions on both sites, so give the search facilities a work out!
Now for something different:
I invite you to include your '35 Packard in the Packard Owner's Registry
As Secretary of PACA, mentioned earlier, it would be remiss of me not to invite you to join PACA where there are also lots of knowledgeable, experienced and friendly Packard people!
Attach file:
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