Re: 1930 745 Phaeton

Posted by Tim Cole On 2011/3/17 18:11:33

Dear KTS68:

I like the vacuum tank system and strongly advise against putting any electric boosters in the system because they pose a huge fire risk.

The only time I would bypass the vacuum tank with a pump is when the motor has insufficent vacuum due to mechanical wear or when someone has destroyed the original equipment. In such cases it is best to have the carburetor overhauled and refitted with a needle designed for pressure.

Most likely your V-tank was bypassed because one of the seats for the valves in the tank broke loose from the pot metal and disabled the unit.

There is an outfit in Arizona "Classic Carburetors" that has been recommended to me as a good place for such work. Maybe they can help you out.

One feature of the vacuum tank is the fill plug that precludes the need for a pump to prime the motor after long storage. The plug is on the top of the tank and you fill the tank prior to starting. The plug only gets tightened slightly more than finger tight(snug). The Packard manual claimed this was not necessary. They claimed the motor need only be cranked for 10 seconds to fill the tank. I never tried this because it strains an 81 year old starter motor.

Also, on the timing cover of the 7th series Custom 8 is a vacuum assist pump. This unit is probably in need of serivce as well. It can be tested with a vacuum gauge.

Good Luck.