I don't have the PI manual, but would like to obtain one. However, based on inspection of some unrestored originals I can add the following.

Wheel on Caribbeans are usually the mid-band color. My Hardtop is painted in MKN and the wheels are Scottish Heather (K).

The rest of the Packards and Clippers are usually the main body color - the color of the hood and tops of the front fenders on two-tone cars. My Four Hundred parts car is painted in ML, and the wheels are Persian Aqua (L). My '56 Patrician was originally painted in MR, and the wheels are Mojave Tan (R). My dad's Exec was painted in MF, and the wheels were Holland Blue (F).

The one exception in my stable is my first '56 Patrcian, paint MV two-tone; the wheels are not Corsican Black (V), but Tangier Red (J). Coincidentally, I have seen some Cadillacs painted in all-white, but with red wheels.

Except for the one '56 Pat, I had generally concluded that the wheels were always painted the darker colors on two-tone cars. However, I believe Joel Ray has an original unrestored Four Hundred doesn't follow that rule of thumb, but I cannot recall the details. Perhaps he can refresh my memory.

Meanwhile, anyone else care to throw in another $0.02 from their unrestored car?

Well, I'm just thinking that if the lifter noise is connected to premature wear of the pump, then the vac pump isn't at the root of that problem - else there would have been no need to advise Studebaker dealers of the sump tube kit (effectiveness of that kit not withstanding).

Wouldn't the pump gears be self-centering, under pressure, and help keep the driving shaft squarely in its bore - at least until there is significant wear of the gears and separator plate?

One problem might be that there never was a bushing for the driving shaft or - as you discovered - the Packard pump lacks an oiling channel for the driving shaft that the SBC pump has. If that channel had been there from day on, I bet the bore and shaft would have lasted a helluva lot longer - even with a sacrificial casting as it were.

As for the additional load on the Packard V8 oil pump, the vacuum pump is quite similar to the vacuum motors that drive so many air tools - just works in reverse. As such, I'm having a hard time visualizing the additional load as a problem when the pump is merely pulling only inches of vacuum - unless it is binding internally. Perhaps we ought to put a few drops of air too oil down the vac pump's intake pipe on occasion.

It's interesting to note that a 1957 Buick shop manual I have shows an oil pump with a vacuum pump riding piggyback, but that old Nailhead V8 never had the reputation for oiling issues that Packard V8 owners have had to endure. There's still a piece of the puzzle missing here that needs to be found.

One of these days, I'm gonna have to get out to the Funny Farm and my dad's old Exec (which never had a lick of oiling problems or lifter noise) and yank the engine for some serious forensic work so we can all compare notes.

Meanwhile, let's keep collecting data in this good thread.

I wouldnt mind a picture so I can understand where it attaches.

thanks

Well now, that makes sense, dosen't it! My car is solid Norwegian Forest green as well

My very original solid color 56 Executive has wheels the same color as the car. Norweigen Forest green. The spare is the same as the car color too.

Were the valves in the receeded seats stainless steel???? More later, gotta run.

Does anyone have the PI judging manual for V-8 cars?
What do they say about the color of the wheels for V-8 cars? I have five wheels in four different colors.

The receeded exhaust valves were on the 56J I bought in 1986, with 81,000 miles on it. With just shy of 100,000 on the odometer, I pulled the heads and had a valve job done. Bear in mind the engine had had the shade tree rebuild at an estimated 75,000 in the late 1960s.
It was a basic valve grind, and maybe replaced a valve or two, I don't remember. When I tore it down again for a complete rebuild about 40,000 miles later, the exhaust valves were severely receeded, believe me!

When I rebuilt it, I had the hardened exhaust seats installed. Today, 70,000 miles later, it still idles smooth and gets as good of gas mileage as ever, around 20-22 at 65-70 mph. That is with the T85 and 3.31. rear end, with a final overdrive ratio of 2.38. I also run an AFB carb.

I live just about 115 miles up in KY, once you cross the state line on I65 coming from TN. Nashville is about 140 miles from here. The wife and kids are going to Japan for the summer, so maybe we can get together sometime. Perhaps a cruise in, or car show somewhere in between, or just a nice drive in my 56J or your Packard!

I have an old Volvo for bad weather, but when the weather is nice, its either the Harley or one of the 56Js. Life is good :)

Joe H

In a pinch u can affix a string or strip of rubber or other suitable material to the inside of the gas door. At the other end of the string tie a wheel weight. That will keep the door closed until u can get a spring.

I'm guessing it's the same as 55 and 56 since 51-56 all used the Rienhardt body. It is a flat spring about one inch wide and curved about 1.25 inches long. If u really a pic i'll try to dig one out and post a pic of one from a 56 upon request.