Re: "Waking Sleeping Beauty" .... The Blog!

Posted by Jim L. in OR On 2011/2/13 18:16:55

Hey Howard,

Now that you mention it, I haven't done anything to the fuel pump except hook a new hose from it to a 6 gallon gas can. Actually, I was a little surprised it worked at all. I looked up the link you sent me and liked what I saw. I'll order a kit tomorrow. I think they are the one that supplied the kit that my mechanic used on my '51 (which may be ready for me to test drive Thursday).

Good point about the old rubber. I know that hose didn't bend but broke when I tried to remove it from the pump. I also noticed yesterday that the vast majority of rubber vacuum hoses - like the ones clamped to the fire wall for the windshield wiper motor are as hard as iron. So hard, that I'd bet that they were put on by Packard workers 56 years ago. The ones over the intake manifold aren't any more flexible. I've got a reel of new gas hose but when I pick up the kit I'll pick up some new vacuum hose as well.

I'm a little disappointed that the carb rebuild place I mentioned is in "limbo". I've rebuilt 2 barrels before but not a 4. However, with the group's help, the FSM and a little luck I'm going to give it a try. I just hope the floats have held up.
Thank you for your suggestions, Howard - they are appreciated. Feel free to send any other thoughts you may have. That goes for everyone else as well.