Packard Newbie, I got the same proposition......

The pulling sounds like it could be a collapsed brake hose or sticking wheel cylinder. But the clunk doesn't really fit.

looks like the '54 s the best condition of the lot.

Is there a mistake on part numbers here? I see 371264 and I see 372164 as the listed part in the kit.

Not one of Packard's better design concepts..... LOL

https://www.futurechrome.com/resources/videos/

I'm thinking of trying something like this. Not a paint, but mirror chrome.

Thanks Howard. I think I'm missing that, but I'll look tomorrow. John

I found out the same clutch return spring shown on this diagram is broken on my '46 Packard. Someone had put some wire around it and put it to one of the brake lines coming off the master cylinder. I'm thinking this isn't the best idea....
Anyway, where is the bracket shown that it is attached to at the front located??

My headway is rather slow..... Wish I had more time to devote to it.
On the master cylinder front it looks like the bore is in nice shape, no pitting I can see. I will probably seek out a cap for it. The original seems sort of brittle, on part of the flange the gasket goes onto chipped off.

Never thought of top coating gray primer, but it works I guess.