[quote]
Guscha wrote:
A couple of superlatives

Yes Dave, the Mercedes 600. Thank you, right on cue. To me it is in the middle between a car and magic.

Dave I guess after so many years it's time to tell you a secret. Somewhere in the offered car lay a huge lump of gold (more than 13 pounds). Acc. Mike Covello: Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946-2002, Krause Publication, Iola 2002, ISBN 0-87341-605-8, page 533 the 600 Pullman (the most expansive version) was $ 24,000 (1965).

Guscha, Canadian dollar was worth about 90 cents US back then so maybe it was selling for $26500 and with tax maybe another $1500 so he rounded it off to $30K I suppose just to impress me! I wonder what kind of trade in I would have got for my 1952 Chrysler Windsor

I'd be sorely tempted to do what Hank is doing and keep the whole "spirit" of the car together, just because that's the way I am with most things. I want to put them back the way they were as much as possible. Like my 1941 Triplex (that's a house not a car--WAY off topic!) It's a monument to plaster, lathe, and stucco and I intend to keep it that way!

I only mentioned the wiper motor because it kind of ticks me off that Packard went back to vacuum, when as Eric says, the Chevy is a bolt-on and a reversible mod.

Brakes get into safety big-time. Like I wouldn't want the original fuse-box nightmare in my house, because others depend on it being a safe place. With a car, the things that make it stop are more important than the things that make it go, IMHO.

BUT, if it was just me who was driving the car or riding in it... I feel different about taking chances. However, there are other people on the road who don't want to be sharing in your risk (of rear-ending them for instance). ALTHOUGH, there is an assumed risk that everybody takes when they go out for a drive. The risk is shared and it's impossible to make it perfectly safe for everyone. "Accidents happen."

If it sounds like I'm conflicted about whether I'd get rid of the original Easamatic setup, it's because I am. No brakes are 100% fail-safe, but the setup that Packard used (and other mfrs, too, Ford is one I have heard used this system) is about 100 times more likely to fail than almost any dual master cylinder setup.

...and I was in a '55 400 when the brakes failed... luckily on a straight stretch of lonely two-lane blacktop. But I still remember my dad, yanking on the e-brake T-handle and cursing. Get this, though, he was a professional mechanic for over 35 years, and never was completely sold on a dual master cylinder system.

Here's why: If the Brake Warning light does not come on (or gives so many false readings you stop paying attention to it) you can be driving around with HALF a braking system in operation, while the other half has you back to one master cylinder.

Makes ya think, doesn't it? But he always was a contrary fellow.

Thanks for mentioning the old tools, Hank. I know just how you feel, having "inherited" a few of my father's, including an ancient half-inch drill. I feel closest to my memories of him when I use his tools... and humbled by how much less skill and speed I have than he did.

Sorry for going on and on. I'll get out of here and let the show go on, now. Do whatever you think is best. You sound conscientious enough to give it careful thought.

OK. Here I go stating the obvious. Is our battery fully charged? If not there may not be enough power to spin the Bendix into the flywheel. I know you know this. Either way I think your est bet is to remove the starter and check it or have it checked.
Good luck. I hope it is just dirty.

Not reliably. There's too much pressure exerted from the packing and packing nut.

Ooops....

From the pics in the parts manual, the solenoid only supplies power to the motor. The bendix drive assembly is moved outward because of the armature rotation, not because of the solenoid. It sounds as though your problem lies with the bendix. You'll have to pull out the starter and have it checked.
Dumb suggestion - don't forget to disconnect the battery.

vanman, I think you answered your own question. There are a number of causes once you have made sure that the electrical connections are tight and battery is charged. From my trusty old MOTOR'S Auto Repair manual (1935-56) I gleaned the following;
1. Bendix pinion stuck on shaft due to gum or dirt or possibly a bent shaft.
2.Bendix spring broken
3.Bendix spring bolt broken
4.Pinion housing cracked.
5.Drive key sheared
6.Pinion teeth broken
7.Starter ring gear has several teeth broken
8.Armature shaft broken.
Probably now is a good time to remove the starter and have a good look. Possibly all it needs is a good cleaning?

If you are referring to the 22nd series Packard listed in Amarillo, TX... The listing says 6 cylinders but I count 8. The last picture of the engine shows this best.

Well, I thought this topic was over and done with...lol...but on Ebay right now, there's a '48 Packard sedan with a 6-cylinder engine!

I counted the spark plugs to make sure before I added this response...

Brain I think that would be a terrific resource to this site. You've got my vote.