Re: I'm New Here...First truly old car and first Packard

Posted by su8overdrive On 2024/3/20 0:10:24

Love that quietly elegant, understated gray. Don't change that!

Unmolested originals are rare these days. Do not use anything that says "cleaner" or "polish." Just gently wash and wax with Meguiar's or Mother's pure wax so it glows.

1948-50 Packards veered to being under-tired, so make sure you carry 30-32 psi cold in all four if bias tires.

DOT 5 silicone brake fluid is the only way to go. You'll never have to rebuild a wheel/master cylinder again. Non-hydroscopic; doesn't absorb moisture from the ambient air.
Full synthetic motor oil. Avoid antifreeze unless your car exposed to two consecutive nights of hard freeze (below 30). Reverse osmosis water and a good rust/corrosion inhibitor like No-Rosion.com or Redline Water Wetter. Nothing else. Grease also the shift linkage pivot points. Poke a straightened paper clip in the differential vent, make sure it's clear.
Refill distributor grease cup and give it a turn every 1,000 miles. Molybdenum/graphite chassis grease best for that and all else. Lithium grease for speedometer cable.