Re: Just bought my first Packard - a 1954 Henney ambulance

Posted by HH56 On 2022/7/25 15:15:41

Congratulations on finding what looks to be a nice 54.

On the lights, the first thing I would suggest is go thru and clean the grounds on the light sockets and pay particular attention to the screws and surfaces providing mounting connections between sheet metal body and pot metal light housings. Packards are somewhat known for rust and corrosion forming between those joints or particularly in the joints where pot metal pieces in the grille or tail light housings come together and adding extra resistance in the light circuits.

The knob on the side of the steering column is the windshield wiper switch. Turn it toward you and the wipers will start. More you turn the knob the more the wipers change speed.

No idea if Henney offered the windshield washer or if so, was the latest version but If the optional windshield washer is installed, there could be one of two operating methods. On older washers turning the knob away from you and holding it against a spring for a few seconds will let vacuum charge the washer with water. When you release the knob and turn it back toward you the washer squirts the water out and turning the knob farther causes the wipers to start. In 54 Packard offered a more automatic version on most models so if there is a movable push button in the center of the knob and a washer jar with three hoses and two wires going to a couple of separate mechanisms on the jar lid, pushing that button a couple of seconds will start both actions.