update on my '51

Posted by gregb(peoria, il) On 2014/11/13 11:15:49

This weekend my dad and I spent a good amount of time working on the Packard. We got the gas tank flushed, put in an inline filter and hooked it back up. Flushed the coolant system and hooked everything back up. Changed the oil again. Retorqued the head bolts. Checked and topped off the transmission fluid. I started and ran the engine for about 45 minutes with no visible oil or coolant leaks, so I decided to get in and drive it slowly in circles around his large Morton shed. Everything seemed to work fine and it was at this point that I noticed that the brakes "sort of worked". They'll stop ya if you plan it out ahead of time! LOL! Anyway, I decided "what the heck" and took it out for a road test. BTW, my dad lives out in the boondocks or else I would've never considered this. Anyway I drove the car about 5 miles down to the end of his road, got it up to about 50 mph and other than the brakes, it drove great. The transmission worked great, I could feel it lock in to direct drive about 30mph, no noises from trans or rear end, the car tracks straight and steering is tight. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't help but have a big grin on my face while driving. So we decided to start on the brakes. What a mess. We took the cap off the master cylinder and the brake fluid had turned to the consistency of Vaseline. Pulled off one of the front hubs and the brake shoes are almost down to metal. So I ordered a new master cylinder, wheel cylinders, brake shoes, and hoses. I'll check the metal lines as we get farther along. So with the brake job waiting for parts, we started looking at electrical. The car at some point is going to need a completely new harness put in, but we decided to try to patch things up so we could see what was working and what wasn't. So far these things are working, charging system works, oil sending unit and light works, temp sending unit and gauge works, headlights, parking lights work, dash lights, and interior lights work, gas gauge works, horn works. Things that don't work are the brake lights, turn signals, and radio. But so far I am ecstatic with the progress we have made. I was so relieved to find out the transmission seems to be working, that was my biggest fear. So, we need to do the complete brake job, get some tires on her, and some new exhaust, and I think I might be ready for the road!