Just out of curiosity, why are u replacing the bias plys that are currently on the car.

From above: "The front balance dampers are not really interchangeable. Packard assembled their engines, then ran them on a test stand and final-balanced them by drilling holes in the front damper and flywheel or welding weights on the flex plate."

AND with the torque converter installed too??? PS and AC pulleys on damper during balance????

I have 235-75R15 tyres on my 56 Executive. No significant clearence problems. I have noticed a very SLIGHT rub pattern on the left rear INNER wheel well but i'm guessing that only happens under some severe conditions that i have put the car thru at very low speed. Fronts seem to come very close to rubbing on full turn of steering wheel but no such interference takes place.
I live in a rural county of middle Tennessee and often engage rather ruff driveways and country roads. The 235-75R15's have not demonmstrated any problems now for over 6 years and 20K miles.

Greetings, Eric, et al,

The front balance dampers are not really interchangeable. Packard assembled their engines, then ran them on a test stand and final-balanced them by drilling holes in the front damper and flywheel or welding weights on the flex plate.

Having said this, I have interchanged them many times when everything else was rebuilt, thus changing the fine tuning Packard did originally.

This probably needs its own thread, but 4 of 5 of the engines I pulled down had the balance damper cracked down the keyway. I have developed a kit to fix the crack and change the front seal to neoprene.

thnx, jv.

BIGKEVIN:I am glad to here that you might be coming to Warren. If you do come to Warren, I have a package that I will hand deliver to you.

It looks like that my grandson will be coming with me. This kid is only 17 years old, but takes a back to no-one in general knowlegde of automobiles and this hobby.

John F. Shireman

I currently have the wrong size tire 235/70R15 which is a fatter tire than yours and there are no clearance problems. 235/75R15 is the right size. May I suggest you examine Diamondback tires before you buy? Also if you are a member of PAC you can save a little by ordering thru the MidAtlantic region of the club and they will get a small commision.
How about posting a picture of your Patrician and some details? All of us enjoy the pictures!

I am planning to replace the bias ply tires on my 56 Patrician with radials. The conversion chart seems to indicate that the 235R75 is the correct replacement, but I am concerned that they will be too fat to mount inside the rear fenders. Would a 225R75 be better? What is your experience?

Well I think that I have just about all the pieces in place to be able to make it to Warren. Just waiting for a couple of loose ends to work themselves out.

Good topic - good questions.

Haven't had time to work on any of my old cars (again) this year), but I will be at Warren next Saturday (the 21st), as a spectator. I hope to arrive before 10AM, and have left my schedule for that day wide open.

WRT the Packard V8 Club, I haven't heard a thing since I cancelled my accounts with MSN Groups last winter.

If the weather holds out, I expect we'll see a lot of fine Packards on the South Lawn of the Packard Music Hall (the Packard Museum's neighbor). Weather pewrmitting, the event draws a lot of Packards, both pre- and postwar, that I've never seen at other general car shows in the area.

I especially look forward to meeting any of the fine members of PackardInfo.com who can make it there!

I might show up on Saturday AM. I have a gig in Cleveland that weekend, and won't be far away. Is Sat AM a good time to see cars/do the meet n' greet?