Re: 1956 Clipper Hot Rod

Posted by BH On 2009/9/30 8:55:59

Al -

Gee, be glad it wasn't something worse than a starter and fuel pump. Bad timing for you, I know, but those are quite common repairs, you know.

All 1955-56 Packard and Clippers used the SAME pump - a Carter M-2198-S - regardless of displacement and number of barrels or carbs. I believe the 56J Golden Hawk would have used the same pump as well.

Although I've heard tell of some of these cars sporting AC branded pumps, I've never seen any factory documentation that showing that as factory install. Rather, I suspect that, as the OE Carter pump became scarcer, someone simply found an AC pump (P/N 5594299) that would bolt up. However, one member (Ross) showed us the results of a failed (substitute) pump that appeared to use a die-cut laminated pump arm rather than the correctly formed arm that the OE Carter used. Personally, I wouldn't use anything but the OE Carter on my Packard V8s.

However, IIRC, Hudson applications used a dual-action AC pump (P/N 5594293).

The single-action Carter pump is an easy rebuild. I've done 4-5 of 'em, on different cars and over a 30 year span, with no trouble. Problem is that the supply of NOS and NORS kits was exhausted decades ago. Yet, I'm not sure if you'd want to use that tired old rubber nowadays, anyway - especially with modern fuel blends.

Then and Now Automotive (aka - Antique Auto Parts Cellar) makes new kits or can reline old obsolete diaphragms:http://www.maritimedragracing.com/then_and_now_automotive.htm

If you're in a pinch for time, know that I've twice used new rebuild kits made for Carter pumps as used on later Stude V8s, including the Avanti. The parts in that kit appears to be identical to those serviced in the M-2198-S, EXCEPT for the valve cages (so I reused the old ones).

If you don't have a rebuildable core, call around to the usual sources - they're out there.