Those look like very nice lenses! The plastic is probably better quality, then 50 year old NOS ones. I find that the newer plastics are more scratch resistant, and do not crack and cloud like the older plastics.

BTW you can attach multiple pics to the same post if you like. After you attach/upload the first picture, just click browse and select another one and upload again. You can just keep attaching as many pictures as you want. This is a kind of a hidden feature of the forums here.

One more!

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Another view.

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Rebuilt with Joel Ray lenses and modern snap type connectors.

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I've tried the boost gauge directly off the supercharger, where the small port that I assume runs to the fuel pump (that's where it does on mine, anyway), then finally on the rear of the carb, where there's a large port for additional vacuum supply. It's on the opposite end where the vacuum line for the brake booster is. Keep in mind I'm using a 600 CFM Edelbrock, which isn't exactly the same as the AFB you have on your Avanti. The gauge seems to work, as it move from 20 inches of vacuum at idle to 0 under load and almost full throttle.

Yup something isn't right. Where is the boost/vac gauge plumbed in? On the Avanti it's on the rear of the intake, I hear that if you tap in before the carb the numbers are generally higher.

I would look into changing the pulleys, maybe even going to the old style mac set up with two speeds. Just watch that you don't overspeed it!

Nope, zero boost even up 4000 rpm. That's why I'm thinking that I need a smaller pulley.

Since our gracious host gave us a spot to chronicle the development of our beloved Packards, I decided to explain mine in a lot more detail here than I have on other areas of the web.

So, let's start out by explaining the title of this thread, "Eric's 1956 Patrician STS Restoration Project", STS of course for "Sports Touring Sedan". The idea here is to make a Packard with the power, agility, comfort, and luxury of the best of today's sports sedans. This will entail updating the engine to a higher output, updating the transmission to include an overdrive, and improving the suspension to include a larger sway bar in the front, a large one in the rear, 4 wheel disc brakes, and, possibly independent rear suspension, with T/L. (that's my BIG secret that I haven't told anyone about yet)

I feel that with these modifications, I'll be well on my way towards my goal of a Patrician STS. Oh, and I almost forgot, it will have full Caribbean trim, and be a 4 door Caribbean, with performance, luxury, and handling to outpace any car of the '50s, and a lot of ones from today.

To give an idea of this rather ambitious plan, here's a few details:

#1 374 supercharged (EFI possibly) engine
#2 T56 6 Speed transmission
#3 Fully independent suspension w/fully functioning T/L
#4 Four wheel disc brakes
#5 Improved sway bars front and rear
#6 Improved luxurious interior, front bucket seats, console, etc.
#7 Full Caribbean trim spec

Now, keep in mind, that this is NOT a street rod of any kind, more of a "What If" in the mold of Craig's Panther project, and to typify what a 2006 Packard Caribbean Sedan would look like. I feel that this can be done rather easily, but I can't reveal all my secrets just yet, so stay tuned!

Well this weekend has pretty productive out in the garage. I spend last night rebuilding the Carb on the '54. It came out very nice, and I will be doing a write-up for the website on it very soon just like I did with my fuel pump rebuild.

Luck shined my way today when I was walking around the local swap-meet, which they have every weekend at the drive-in. I found a brand-new Professional Series Craftsman rolling tool chest that lists at Sears for $200+ plus for $40. It just has some scratches on the backside of it, that no one will see. The caster kit, and top chest were still boxed and shrink-wrapped. SCORE!

Sounds like it may need to spin faster, you should see at least 5# boost while accelerating above 3000 RPM. The largest cid Paxton/Mac app I can think of was Stude 305 and Ford 312, so not too different than the 320 Packard. This vendor lists some pulley options:

http://www.studebakervendors.com/lstone.htm

Also ask about the high output brg kit.