Ok.... More time on the Packard tonight. First off, got a gallon of WD-40 and a can of PB blaster. Pulled all the plugs and filled cylinders with WD, pulled the access panel in the right wheelwell, pulled the fuel pump (to get the lifter cover to clear) and pulled the lifter covers...

Quite suprised to see that the #2 intake valve stem was broken. about 3/8" of the valve stem is still in the lifter, The break is not new, I think that may have been the "Lifter rattle" my dad spoke of. The valve is also stuck open. It Has about a 1/4" gap between the broken piece and the stem when the lifter comes down.

About 2 hours of WD-40 soak and rotating by hand yielded the following compression results.
#1 30psi (visibly leaked down on the gauge)
#2 20psi (broken intake valve)
#3 50psi (visibly leaked down on the gauge)
#4 45psi (visibly leaked down on the gauge)
#5 100psi
#6 110psi
#7 140psi
#8 90psi

Obviously I intend to re-apply and rotate again tomorrow, then check compression again. Seems to be making a dramatic difference though. Looks like the #1, 2, 3, 4, and maybe 8 are still not sealing properly. But a helluva lot of difference for just some WD-40.

On that note, anyone know of a 288 or 327 in decent running condition in the mid-west for sale? doesn't need to be re-built or anything, just run well. Really want to get this car on the road. It isn't doing anybody any good sitting in my garage! I think if I buy a runner, I can tinker with the rebuild at my own pace while still enjoying the car.

Looks like my 53 has that same cover in the wheelwell. I'll do that tonight. Not sure what exactly to make of the overall lack of compression. Called my Dad last night, he was stumped too. He clearly remembers driving that car. No worries though, I have a lifetime to tinker with it.

OK, got to spend a few hours out in the garage this evening, here's what I have to report. Great spark to all eight cylinders. Buddy of mine has a cool little spark tester. Nice and blue, easily bridging 3/8". I tried to disconnect the throttle linkage, but the starter wouldn't engage. Not sure why? Hooked the linkage back up, engaged fine. Does that linkage somehow act as a ground for the solenoid? accelerator pump squirts fuel just fine. Float/needle and seat seems to be working.

Completed compression test and lubed each cylinder. Numbers are as follows:

#1 7psi
#2 50psi
#3 45psi
#4 5psi
#5 2psi
#6 3psi
#7 5psi
#8 10psi

Not looking to good, Wet test yielded absolutely no change, so I'm thinking maybe stuck valves? I've heard some people say to put ATF down the carb throat and spin it, to get them free. Not sure about that. Mebbe put some in each cylinder and let it sit for a week, then try turning it over. If it doesn't improve compression then pull the lifter cover and look to see if valves are touching the lifters?

Any advice on how to proceed?

Agree on the ignition system I wanted to get it running first, but maybe it's better to just replace it. Kind of thinking that I am flooding the engine. #1 plug was awefully wet (gas).

Going to do the following, in this order... check compression and spark plug gap on all 8 and shoot a little oil down each cylinder, replace points, cap, rotor, condensor. disconnect throttle linkage (so I don't flood it), Parallel 2 6v batteries (really don't like putting 12 volts to the old regulator). check that accelerator pump is working, put air cleaner back on, and try again. If it's still flooding it, I'll pull the carb and put a kit in it (I've rebuilt many a 2bbl).

Boy Scouts ate up my evening tonight, but tomorrow looks good.

Can anyone tell me the proper dwell? I found point gap .016, plug gap .025, and timing 6deg BTDC. I'm at 6000ft, so probably want to run about 10-12deg BTDC once I get it running decently.

Also, where can I get good spark plug wires? Terrel Machine said they don't sell them any more. I understand you can only use solid core wires?

Agreed on the backfire issues... Thanks for bringing that up. Kind of stupid of me hut? I did have a fire extinguisher ready though. Not sure I understand the 12V battery though, won't that burn up a regulator/generator/starter in short order? Are you thinking cranking amps? I was going to use a 6v red top in parrallel with my 6v to increase cranking amps. That should do the same thing without endangering my electrical system shouldn't it?


And thank you all for the warm welcome. My Grandfather owned NUMEROUS Packards over the years, and my Dad has around 20 or so. I am very glad to finally have grown up enough to join the ranks of Packard enthusiasts.

Great advice. I could probably use a temporary underhood start button to keep from pumping the gas IOT hit the starter. Spark was there, but not blue, and it didn't jump 1/4 to 3/8". I gapped the points to .016, but did not replace them. I have a cap/rotor/points from Terrel machine, guess I'll put them in. Been attemting to start without the air cleaner on of course. Lots of great info here.

Thanks for all the feedback... Previously tried dumping a little fuel down the carb throat, no difference. Will check spark at each plug this evening, as well as compression test. Pulled the #1 plug yesterday, had fuel on the tip, pretty sure I'm getting fuel into the cylinders. Car was stored complete, including air cleaner. There is no evidence of critters, every wire in the car is intact with no missing insulation, headliner has no holes, no stuffing pulled out of the seats. I had wondered about maybe mice in the exhaust, seen some pretty big nests in old exhaust pipes before, that could keep it from firing if it was plugged up enough I guess. Will try a quick shot of starting fluid as well. Kind of wondering if I maybe have valves stuck open from sitting for so long? Should be able to tell with the compression test though.

Not firing at all, no popping. Just turns over. I know that the car was a good running car when it was parked. My Dad drove it around for about a week. The reason he parked it was for Master cylinder, which of course was never repaired. Got to get it running before I mess with brakes though.

Thanks again

Hello all, new packard owner. Inherited from my Grandfather, a beautiful 1953 Clipper Deluxe Club Sedan (2665). Galahad Green and Orchard Green. My Dad bought this car in 1967 as a dealer trade in. He sold it to my Grandfather in 1972. Car has 63,000mi and has been in indoor storage ever since. Original paint still even has some shine!
I am a pretty knowledgable car guy who has salvaged several old cars from neglect over the years. I've spent the last two days in frustration as I have been trying to get this car to start. I know that it ran well when parked, and had no issues other than brakes. I pulled the oil pan, cleaned the sludge. Disconnected the fuel pump (using gravity feed fuel source). New 6 Volt batt. seems to have spark all the way to the #1 plug. Gapped points at .016, has an new cap/rotor/points. Car turns over fine, but never fires. Kind of at a loss. Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks,