Yes, my '35 has a dual purpose gas-oil gauge that I did not realize until now. I took a photo but it won't load into this reply, probably because it is too large. I don't know how to reduce photo sizes.

The gauge reads 0-5-15-25 which I assume means gallons of fuel in the tank. However, what do the numbers mean with regard to measuring oil level? As mentioned, it always reads 5 whether it has a full crankcase or is empty.

I dropped the pan today and was pleased to see there was almost no sludge, just a 1/16" layer at the rear of the pan. Also, the cork float for the oil level unit is intact, attached to the sender and is not loose in the pan as I thought. However, it doesn't seem to be working properly so some troubleshooting is in order for tomorrow.

Thanks for your help.

Glen

I think I finally realize what that loose tube shaped object is in the bottom of the pan, thanks to those who responded. I was confused about what it was, having never heard of such a device in a car before. It's the oil level gauge float which apparently has come loose from the sending unit attached to the exterior of the oil pan. The serial number on the engine definitely shows it is a 1936. However, raised lettering on the bottom of the pan reads 1-16-35, indicating the pan is a 1935 mounted on a 1936 block. I also didn't realize the dash gauge is a combo unit for gas and oil which was confirmed after a careful check. I guess this is proof the '35 cars had the oil level gauge but the '36 cars did not.

The gauge does not work as the dash gauge reads 5 with the crankcase full of oil and also reads 5 when it is empty.

I guess it would be prudent to drop the pan at this point because a loose float inside a running engine could be disastrous.

Regarding the painted vs chrome radiator shells, I too have been confused on that issue. The previous owner of my 1205 said chrome was an optional extra in 1935 but I have never seen a photo of another '35 with chrome although there appear to be many chromed '34's.

Glen

Quote:

Tim,
Thanks for your input.

The car is a 1935 1205 with a '36 engine and it does not have an oil level gauge. For fear of breaking something, I did not pull the oil pressure unit totally out of the side of the block but was able to determine when I moved it, the mentioned loose tube in the bottom of the pan also moved. So, I assumed they were connected but perhaps not if that tube had a wire coming out of its end that might have caught on the oil pressure mechanism.

Still at a loss to understand what that tube is and if nobody chimes in by tomorrow, I will be moving on to fill the engine with oil and fire it up.

Glen

I removed the oil pressure unit on the side of the pan which is in line with and close to the oil drain plug. It seems the loose tube I described above is attached to the oil sending unit, although I don't understand how it works.

Based on the fact a boroscope shows the pan to be free of sludge as far as the scope will go into the pan and the oil pickup screen is clean plus the fact I was sent the wrong oil pan gasket set, I have decided to not drop the pan but to put the new screw-on filter in the reproduction oil filter can, fill with new oil and start her up. Just hope I have not messed up anything in the oil sending unit and that the gauge will show proper oil pressure when I crank up the engine. I guess the proper procedure would be to disconnect the coil wire, turn off the fuel pump and crank the engine for a minute or so to get the oil filter and the repro can it is mounted in full of oil before firing the engine. I'm running blind here with no Packard experience and hope there would have been more input from knowledgeable Packard folks on this forum.

Is there another Packard forum a newbie like me should be using for these kinds of questions instead of this one?

Glen

Tim Cole,
Thanks for your reply. I was able to pry off the oil screen with picks as you suggested and it is perfectly clean. Just a thin layer of sludge on the inside bottom of the screen cap. With a finger into the oil plug hole, I found a tube shaped object lying loose in the bottom of the pan, about 3/4" in diameter and some 3" long. Can't tell if it's attached to anything. Using a boroscope, it looks like the object might be an oil pickup tube as it appears to have a screen around it but is difficult to tell. If it's a screen, it looks completely clogged. Can you tell me what that object is and why it would be unattached on the bottom of the pan?

I appreciate any input you can give.

Glen

With some 130 reviews and no replies to my question about the oil screen and dropping the oil pan, I have decided to not try to get the screen off for fear of damaging something. Also not going to drop the pan for further inspection even though the old oil was dark before I drained it. The reason is the bottom pickup part of the screen is clean and free of any sludge. The screen cover and the hollow in the pan drain nut only had a thin coating of sludge with no metal chips. The car has a reproduction oil filter can with a modern spin-on filter inside and that will be changed with a new one. Was really hoping someone more knowledgeable than me would have replied with some advice.

Glen

First time inspecting the pan oil screen in my 1936 super 8. Got the cover off ok but can't seem to get the screen out. It is loose and wobbly but I don't want to force anything without understanding just how it is supposed to come out. I was able to turn it slightly by hand as if it was meant to be unscrewed but then it met a lot of resistance and I immediately stopped. Luckily, it doesn't appear to have any sludge buildup at least on the half inch of screen bottom I can see without removing it. If there is no sludge on the screen when I finally get it off, should I drop the pan for a thorough inspection anyway? Bad things often happen when one tries to fix things that aren't broken and dropping the pan unnecessarily might be one of them. Suggestions from those who know?

Glen

Thanks to all who replied regarding a safe highway speed for a super eight engine. While it would be nice to generally keep up with traffic at 65 mph on an interstate where the speed limit is 70, the consensus seems to be that 65 would not be advisable and that 55 to 60 would be a preferable top speed. I appreciate the advice of experienced Packard owners and will keep off the interstates as much as possible and adjust my speed to the recommended limits.

This forum is truly a great place for a newbie to get information about being a responsible temporary custodian of a fine Packard with the hope I can pass it down to the next person who will respect and cherish it as I do. I will likely be posting often as I get to know the car better and am pleased the forum allows me to "ask the man who owns one"

Glen

My new to me 1935 four door convertible sedan model 1205 has a 1936 super eight engine rebuilt in 2013. Odometer not working so true mileage is unknown but I feel confident from other information that it is under 50K miles on this engine. I will be touring with the car and would like some input about safe highway speeds. While interstates will be avoided whenever possible, there will be instances where I will have to get on them. Can this engine tolerate a 65 mph steady speed for an hour or so? It does not have overdrive. All other mechanicals on the car seem fine as I know the previous owner maintained it well.

Glen

My new (to me) 1936 super eight engine needs an oil change. Per the previous owner, the filter is a reproduction unit with a modern spin-on filter inside. What is the procedure for taking the filter canister apart? See attached photo. If I disconnect the oil lines from the engine and oil cooler, will I get a flood of oil coming out? With the lines disconnected, do I just remove the canister from the car and determine how to get inside it to get to the spin-on filter. Any suggestions from those who are familiar with this procedure would be helpful. I hesitate to attack the filter before getting input from those who know.

Glen

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