Re: 1950 Packard 288 Auto overheating HELP

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2010/1/26 13:00:47

It sounds like not enough air flow through the rad. I would try blowing out the rad from behind with an air hose, or vacuuming from the front in case it has picked up a load of dust, bugs etc.

Check the fan as well. You may need to bend the blades to more of an angle or replace the fan with a newer one. Around 1952 they switched to a smaller rad and bigger fan, not sure if one will fit but if it does it should help.

One other thing. Do Packards have a water distribution tube? I know some other makes of inline flatheads do, but I don't know about Packard.

If it does check your engine for localized overheating. If the tube is rotted all the coolant will stream up the front of the engine and the back cylinders will overheat. The difference in temperature between the front and back of the engine can be quite marked.