Thanks!

Thank you HR56! I located the sensor on the engine and removed and cleaned the connection to a wire whose insulation virtually grumbled in my hands. (if this old wire grounded against the firewall would it have destroyed the dashboard gauge?) I did my best to wrap the exposed wire in black electrician's tape. What I thought was a gauge that was pinned on the 'H' (Hot) but when I started the car the needle moved from left to right rather quickly all the way to the right side of the gauge side by the 'H'. So the gauge responded with movement but this happened before the engine got barely warm. Would a bad thermostat give this result? Do you suggest, if all fuses and breakers are OK, to remove the sensor out of the engine and inspect and clean? Is there not a history that would indicate a weakness in this issue of the dashboard engine temp gauge malfunctioning? If the gauge is ultimately deemed bad, can you suggest where I could acquire one? I know of Kanters in NJ, but there may be better options. Thank you so very much!

Thank you Bob J!

Thank you very much! I will forge ahead through the fog! Where do you acquire expendibles such as the vehicle's light bulbs and fuses? I guess I need to explore to understand the fuse box and circuit breakers. It would be nice if my outlined problems are found there. Also, is there a clearing house for post war Packard parts? I am looking for an exterior sun visor for a 1950. Thanks!

Is there a forum dedicated to regular maintenance issues that all must face? I have looked through the forums, used the search tools and looked through the manuals to only gleaning spotty, usable knowledge. For example, 'What is the most common reason one's (1950 Eight 2301 Touring Sedan) Temperature Gauge or brake lights are not working? I guess I'm not nearly as educated on computers/Internet as I thought! I get twisted around and not very successful in finding the instruction I am looking for. Please share with me how a new Packard owner can find good resources on how to perform maintenance and repairs like these mentioned here. Unfortunately there is no 1950 Service Manual listed. I'm wound up and ready to go so I humbly ask my fellow members to help line me up in the best direction. Thank you very much. I am very grateful to be here with you.

Your advice was right on the money. No more sticky shifting. Thank you very much! I now better understand the shifting system and inspected every connection, washer and cotter pin. While the lubricating was key, the main constraint was that dried grease and road grime built up between the two. This was eradicated by scraping and degreasing. I will keep an eye on this area going forward...and reverse too! Haha! Thanks again!

Thanks HH56! I appreciate the reply, the information and the annotated photo. I will keep you posted on how I do. all the Best!

Thank you HH56 for your reply, information and the annotated photograph

Thank you! I will look on the post war section.

Thank you very much!