Re: 1950 Packard 288 Auto overheating HELP

Posted by Tim Cole On 2011/2/17 19:55:50

Dear otgdy:

Timing marks can be real hard on these Packards. Especially when the damper is rusted or someone sandblasted the poor thing. Get the motor near TDC. If you see any marks then carefully take the paint off the damper. Then paint the degree you need. If the marks are obliterated that is a problem. Get another damper. They can be put on using a degree wheel given the head is off.

Is this car only overheating when idling or is it running hot on the road? I had a modern Dodge that started overheating at idle when it got old. Even with a new radiator. I think the cast iron was just plain oxidized. I think Dave's story about a hot idling 288 is instructive.

One thing people don't realize is that the fan actually restricts flow at high speed. I assume your car has the splash aprons on it. It think they are supposed to help flow.

The radiator temperature difference from top to bottom should be very substantial. If you have the front pan off then you should be able to lay your palm on the bottom when the top is too hot to touch.

If the top and bottom are warming up at the same rate then you have a flow problem. Take it to a shop and have them pull both tanks. Maybe a mouse got it.