Re: High Mileage Packard V8s

Posted by Joe Hall On 2007/6/3 16:06:49

"Joe: Does the pump in your 56J have an OPEN pressure relief valve port or does it have a hex plug in it????? WHERE does your oil FILTER receive oil from???? Front of left head????? Does your 56J pump have a vacuum pump on it????? Does your 56J pump have a bushing in the LOWER PLATE???? How far above the top of the pump is the flex joint????? Are u SURE it is even a Packard pump??? Got a pic of the pump???"

56J pumps do not have the vacuum pump. As shown in the pic, it is replaced with a simple flat plate; there is no bushing in the plate. Also, the driveshaft flex joint location is identicle to Packard. All of the pumps I have saw have the pressure relief valve held in place by cotter pins.
It is easy to make a 56J pump out of a Packard pump (just need to make a plate) but not so simple to make a Packard pump out of a 56J pump; need all the innards for the vacuum portion. When I ordered a pump from Max M, he mistakenly sent me a Packard pump. All I did was switch the plate out with the vacuum pump parts.

Apparantly, it used to be possible to have 56J pumps rebuilt accross the counter. I have a pump that has "Rebuilt by..." stamped in indelible ink on the side of the body, but I can't make out the last words of the stamp. That pump has a slightly larger diameter driveshaft. So, it appears at least part of the rebuild was to drill out the worn shaft hole and install an oversize driveshaft.

Joe H