Hi all:
Later senior Packard V8s were a bronze color for the block, with silver valve covers. Anyone know the correct formula/color is still provided by Bill Hirsch and if quality has changed over time?... I realize many did theirs a long time ago, and products and providers change. Looking for top quality paint and original color match.
cheers, Roger in NY

Being a '58 Olds owner, I recently saw this on the Classic Oldsmobile site and thought someone might be able to use this pump + pickup for their Packard V8:

http://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/parts-sale/109210-melling-high-volume-pump-pickup.html

I've lived in MD, PA, NY, and VT, and they don't tax vintage cars or other antiques of any kind at all
My understanding is that VA does, the rate unknown.

Good info, more and more I think converting to manual makes a great deal of sense. I may get rid of BTV on my '58 Olds as well.

I see that Dexron or Type F is generally recommended.

Is ATF+4 compatible? It's apparently a newer synthetic fluid used by modern Chryslers with superior characteristics regarding temperature stability and longevity, and is supposedly a Dexron type of fluid with friction modifiers that improve shifting characteristics, the latter having been a traditional weak point of TU?

Great advice all around, many thanks gents.

Being I'd like to keep it as stock as possible I suppose I'd opt for the original parts as used then to the extent possible. Being Kanter's is cleaning house, it might be wise to check with them, I presume.

Has anyone around here done a power-to-manual conversion?
So many folks have never driven a post early-50s big car with well set-up manual brakes, I suspect that if they had they might prefer them. Done properly they should stop every bit as well as power, with better finesse and control, imo.

Have always preferred the directness and more subtle modulation and control afforded by good manual brakes. My 1st car, a '63 Ford wagon, had manual brakes, as did my '70 Fury III convertible; since driving those cars back then I've preferred manual.

What would be involved in converting a 55/56 Clipper with BTV to a manual brake system, has anyone done this? It would on the surface appear to be be easier than converting the flawed, to my mind, BTV (and I have the same bloody thing on my '58 Olds Super 88 as well) to another type of power brake system, and I prefer manual anyway. Dual master cylinder would also be desirable. Comments, gentlemen? (and ladies, if there are any here).

Thanks for that info Howard and also to Duane for the 6 cyl heads up.

Yes, Ross in Parkton lives about 15 miles from where I was born and grew up, about 4 hrs. south now. He'd be the man for any TU repair for sure. I actually sold him a red & white '56 Exec project that I'd bought from a fellow in RI some years ago and didn't had the ability to restore at the time. I moved away from MD at age 50, before I had bought my 1st Packard. But I had gone to a few Packard meets out in Frederick, also had spoken to George Hamlin and Dwight Heinmuller (sp?) there, both of whom also lived in my general area. IIRC Ross usually goes somewhere to volunteer this time of winter, so may not be "around" at the moment?

Howard, that is certainly a possibility. The car we're looking at has slightly over 80k and supposedly ran not too long ago. If it's V8 has made it thus far with no permanent damage I may well opt to keep it, at least for awhile as I try to figure out a 6 conversion, and if so would update to the Olds pump, it seems like the way to go.

As to the Twin UltraMatic, again if it works... I've kind of forgotten what issues they typically had, our Clipper had the 3 spd manual. If this new car is a late production version, wonder if any updates weremade to improve TU's reliability?

HBD Kevin!
Been absent from PI.com for a few years, but hopefully we will be getting our 3rd Packard very soon.

Hope you are acclimatizing to living in the Great White North. Have a great day, and thanks for keeping this place going all these years, many great folks and a wonderful resource!