Re: Tips for moving a Patrician that has been parked for 35+ years?

Posted by Fibonachu On 2024/6/27 17:50:14

Good to know on the shifter rod, thanks!

I believe that cars were built to be driven, so I want to fix it up so I can hop in with the family and go when we feel like it. I need to be able to go 65mph, steer safely, and stop safely and repeatedly. Reading the owners manual, I got the implication that it was not supposed to go faster than the low 50s, but reading various posts and one of the addendum files that talks about the MPG hit from going 70, I don't think that will be an issue. The power steering system looks pretty straightforward and parts seem to be available. I don't plan to make a hot rod or a racecar or anything, just something that I can drive and have a cool family history story with.

I think the straight 8 is just a really cool thing, so if at all possible, I want to get it resurrected and running. My biggest concern there is if it has a knock, the crank might be ruined. The complete Egge rebuild kit is something like $6k, plus machine work as long as the crank is salvageable. That is a big chunk of change, but it is such a cool setup.

Initially I will spend a while just going through everything and seeing what it has and what it needs.

I expect to have to rebuild the carb, replace all the soft parts (hoses, belts, etc), go through the entire brake system and likely replace all the lines, rebuild all the cylinders, etc. Repack/replace the wheel bearings, general maintenance.

It sounds like if it had the original whale oil based ATF in it, I am up for a rebuild (which I might be anyway depending on which relative I talk to). I would seriously consider one of the adapters to put a 4L60e/4L80e behind the 327 to get the more gears and overdrive. Reading about that kit in one of the older threads here, it sounds like people are really happy with the performance.
 
I generally don't like 4 wheel drum systems because my experience with them has not been great, but I have read (both here and elsewhere) that the power drums on the Packard were impressive for the time. I am leaning toward doing a disc conversion on the front to combat fade, but want to hold off on making that decision until it is minimally drivable. I will rebuild/adjust the existing setup and evaluate it then.

As a rule, I dislike dealing with carbs. Since it had a 4bbl originally (per the documentation) it should be pretty simple to put something like a Sniper on it. That would require converting to 12V, negative ground but I am not opposed to that. It makes sourcing lights and such easier (though it complicates other aspects). On the other hand, I think (but have not looked it up yet) that Packard used Stromburg carbs, which tend to be pretty good. So maybe I just rebuild that and go with it.

I will almost certainly convert to modern tubeless tires. I know that the similar vintage Chevy wheels will accept modern tubeless tires stock. I am not sure if the stock Packard ones will or not. If not, I will likely look for something original-esque that I can put modern tires on.

At this point I am holding off making any major decisions or planning the project until I can gather more info. The one thing I can say for sure is that it will not be a trailer queen or a show-only vehicle.