Re: 55PackardGuy's '54 Clipper Deluxe

Posted by 55PackardGuy On 2015/7/6 18:32:10

Thanks for the fuel line routing pic and vapor lock/percolation info HH.

I have added a spray bottle with water in it to my insta-kit on the floor behind the drivers seat, along with my fire extinguisher. Hosing down the line and float bowl doesn't hurt. I will also now try spraying the filter/pump/and low pressure line. If that doesn't cut it, pulling the air cleaner and dribbling a bit of gas in the air horn will often get it running long enough to pass the bubble.
NOTE: If you add gas ALWAYS have the extinguisher ready. If you don't have an extinguisher, don't mess with the gas. (That's my advice, anyway.) Usually, it's best to just use the water and wait. Patience pays.

Now a couple of things:

1. Still no reading on fuel and temp gauges. I have located and PB Blastered the temp sending unit. I figure this is the easiest to remove and test to verify if the gauges themselves, or power to the gauges (see above postings) are the culprit or if its the sending unit(s). The temp is the easiest sending unit to get at.

Now, the $64,000 question: Has anyone removed this sending unit and replaced it? How tough is it to get out of the head? (For anyone wondering where it is, you can see it in my pic of the accelerator linkage above. On the right side of the head back near the firewall.)

2. Off-idle hesitation and bogging! This was a problem before, then kind of went away, now is worse again. Have tried bumping up the idle, running the idle jets richer, etc. It is less bothersome with the O.D. on. In fact, the car in general shifts better and drives smoother with the O.D. on, even in town. But I hesitate to leave it on in town due to the extra wear and heat build-up on the brakes.

I remember the old "dash pots" used on carbureted cars that eased the accelerator back instead of just slamming the carb closed when shifting. I can kind of do this with my foot, but I doubt Packard designed their cars to have this sort of drivability problem!

Any thoughts on either of these topics much appreciated.