Well, we're hoping winter is truly over here in Ohio, and we can complete reassembly of the 1949, spearheaded by project master Greg Delagrange, Jeff Selzer, and the young people of The Packard Institute, Inc. Stand by for pics.

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and thanks to Jeff Selzer!

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This is our project Sensei Greg Delagrange, the acknowledged master of all things 1949 Packard. THANK YOU GREG!

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Thank BDeB, will tell the crew.

Hi Rog,

Thanks again for this kind offer. As it happens we do need a gas tank. I've shopped this one around, and it appears beyond repair.

Jeff, one of our mentor/volunteers, posts here that we'll need a fuel pump as well.

The deeper we get, well, the deeper we get! It's all about the process though.

"The Packard project"
Aug. 30 2010

It's almost September now, and we have only four weeks left at the donated garage space in Mogadore. We now need to asses where we are, and where we need to go with this project. After meeting with our new friend, and Packard expert Greg DeLagrange, a plan of action appears to be taking shape.

Upon further inspection, ( I can't believe we missed it in the first place), Greg has concluded that our Packard was involved in a flood, which appears to have crested about half way up the car. This discovery explains the water which drained from the oil pan, the rotted, molded interior, and the mud coating on the floor of the cab. Although still in quite remarkable condition, (the body alone is amazingly solid), and worth the effort, there is indeed much to be done before the car is roadworthy.

We now realize that a complete mechanical restoration front to back will be required.

Although the top side of the engine...cylinder walls, cylinders, head, and valves, appear to be in wonderful condition, due to the flooding, Greg DeLagrange, a professional engine builder and Packard expert, has concerns about the engines bottom side ie...the crankcase. He therefore recommends the removal, and transportation of the 1400 lb. engine/transmission assembly to his location. Greg will perform a minor overhaul, and inspection of the engine, and transmission, to ensure its safe and reliable operation.
The car, sans engine/transmission, shall then be transported to a currently unknown location (We need a new space!) where the remaining mechanical systems ie...brakes, steering, suspension etc..., and interior, upholstery, and other cosmetic issues, will be addressed in preparation for the re-installation of the engine/tranny assembly.

A breakdown of the necessary procedures follows:

Engine/Transmission (Greg DeLagrange)

a.. remove, clean, inspect, and replace if necessary all eight valves and accompanying parts. (Greg has parts)

b. remove, and replace all engine gaskets (we have them), while inspecting all accompanying parts, and systems. A list of those gaskets follows.
1. Carburator
2. Intake manifold
3. Exhaust
4. Head
5. Oil pan
6.Tranny pan?
7. Water pump
8. Main seal?

Did I miss any?

c. Inspect and address the crankcase ie...crankshaft, journals, connecting rods, and bearings for possible damage, and or corrosion caused by the flooding. Greg has a crankshaft ready to go if ours proves faulty.

d. Transmission...service, inspect, and adjust (clutch pedal is WAY out of adjustment )






Car (Packard institute volunteer team?)
a. brakes
1. remove, and turn drums (Greg has a drum lathe)
2. replace wheel cylinders (generic) don't have yet.
3. replace shoes, and hardware (need)
4. replace all lines 3/16 copper (need)
5. replace master cylinder (have)
b. fuel system
1. Install new gas tank (need)
2. Install new gas lines 3/16 copper? (need)
3. Install new electric fuel-pump (need)
c. suspension, and steering
1. replace shocks
2. inspect springs.
3. inspect ball joints, control arms, tie rods, etc...
4. service, and inspect differential (gasket, and fluid)
d. Powerwash
1. underside
2. engine compartment
3. interior/cab (remove seats)
e. Clean, and paint (POR 15)
1. underside
2. engine compartment.

Although Greg estimates the turnaround time on his engine work to be around a month or two, he has also indicated that he estimates the total project time at about one year. We need a new space, tools, and lots of sweat and elbow grease for the car itself. I recommend all efforts, and capital to be focused on the above issues, and a minimal amount of attention to be paid to the appearance of the car itself. Although the current look is quite adequate, accepting the interior, I think that the "Rat Rod" look is appropriate for the final look of the car, as it is affordable, and requires little effort. Kids love flatblack, and skulls and crossbones!

Jeff Selzer
8/30/10

(Thanks for the thorough update Jeff. Any 49 gas tanks out there? Raynard)

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Thanks for all the great feedback guys. We've taken your suggestions, and things are moving forward. Well, actually, things are moving backwards... but we're learning.

The bad news: The gas tank was leaking, so we took it into the refurb shop. They just called to inform us that it is beyond repair (the sealing process).

The starter may not need to be rebuilt. We're working on it.

Should anyone find themselves in the area (NE Ohio), feel free to drop in on us!

Well, we swapped out the fluids, plugs, and battery. The radiator and head gasket appear to be intact at this time. The water that had drained was clear (no rust present. We're guessing we have a starter issue (see video) so far - but appreciate any feedback. The bottom line is that we're having a grand time, learning, and building relationships... and perhaps more than anything that is what this is about click here: what Packard Motor Car engineering sounds like after 30 idle years...

Well, we had the 49 flatbedded over our work space - a garage just off of Six Corners in Tallmadge - down from Summit Auto Racing for all you auto buffs. We've drained the oil (several quarts of clear water drained first?). I'm looking for new plugs. The kid at Autozone stared blankly at the Auto-Lite P4s. Even their computer drew a blank. Any recommendations here? For a car than has been sitting in a barn for a quarter of a century - the old girl seems remarkably solid. The engineering remains largely tight. The belts and hoses seem OK. While the old battery still held a couple of volts, we'll need a new 6volt. Can they be found on the cheap? Next Sunday we'll flush the radiator, gas tank, and oil. If she holds tight we'll try to crank her up. For THIS I will upload a video - stay tuned. Thanks for all the support here. The kids are really fired up on this. At least it's one day a week they're not out smoking pot. Oh, and Mr. Lamm thanks for the offer of the spare radiator. We'll know next Sunday.

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A quick update. We've located a garage space just off of the Tallmadge Circle in Tallmadge, Ohio - and will be moving this 1949 restoration forward this month. Any consultation or other support is deeply appreciated. We have a (small) budget... and plenty of elbow grease.