Re: Packard model 2365, 288 cubic inch engine running hot

Posted by Ernie Vitucci On 2015/5/31 15:21:18

Good afternoon...Dolores and I have a 1949 2362-288 'Miss Prudence' and when we first purchased her, she ran hot...above 220 which really concerned me. The radiator was really ugly, so we had a new one made here in Phoenix, and added a more efficient fan while the radiator was out. We even went to a 141 degree thermostat from NAPA(Part-18-3551-Line-SME) as discussed in an old service memo that we found on this site or the Packard Club site. Our Muffler and tail pipe were incorrect, too small, so we replaced them. We also rebuilt the water pump at this time. If your block was clogged, then I would expect that your Radiator is also clogged and needs to be at least flushed and flow tested. We found that our distributor was not working properly, the bearings were sloppy and the vacuum advance did not work. We purchased a rebuilt distributor and vacuum advance and it helped. We also removed the head and found that the gasket had failed and that there was leakage between the four center cylinders. We also found that our head was not flat and we had it decked before we put it back on the engine. More junk was removed from the head and engine when the head was off. Cooling improved. We also found a product called '40 Below' which is a racing coolant that you can order from Speedway for about $25.00. It also helped. It helps to run the correct spark plugs, gapped properly. Deluxe Canuck, who has the same machine as 'Miss Prudence, added a radiator shroud of his own design and reported that it also helped. I just fabricated a shroud somewhat based on his design, and finished installing it two days ago. I have not had time to really test it, but there is definitely more air moving over the engine now. 'Miss Prudence' now runs like a Packard should!

Once your 'old girl' has had benefit of lots of love, she will run fine and give you lots of fun. These old girls are somewhat like going back to high school or college and visiting an old girlfriend!

Ernie