I rebuilt my 51 288 last spring, and in road testing it, it heated up badly. Found that the problem was the timing. I had it correct enough to run, but it was badly retarded. Finally had to pull the wires off the distributor and shift them two holes in order to correctly time it. Hopefully you're a better mechanic than me, but that is what caused my engine's overheating.

I found the exact model pictured at a hardware store in Dallas TX about six years ago. Try checking out a good plumbing supply store, they might have one.

thanks for the feedback. I'll talk to him and get the serial number, plus hopefully there will be a bit of the woodgraining left behind the chrome plates, or under the dash so we can match it. I'll post some photos later.

PS - Yellowstone is getting a record snowfall this winter, 180" as of last week. Should be a great year for the wildflower shots.

Does anyone have any photos of an original 49 dash? I showed my completed 39 dash to a friend last night and he wants me to woodgrain his 49 dash. I couldn't remember if the Eight/Super Eight/Custom had different wood graining or not. Thanks

In another time and dimension, I worked on the SOSUS project, laying cable! You might want to visit with the local Model A club, or check out Model A Times. The A had a roof similar to your 37, and you should be able to get some good practical advice from those guys on how to install the roof without getting puckers or leaks. Good luck on the Packard.

You must be Navy! I recognize the ports. Kanter is a good one for the carpets. Pretty reasonable-check out their website. Congratulations on your purchase!

Thanks, Napa is my favorite store, even if sometimes I have to explain who manufactured Packard! They have two 6 volt coils - a Echlin IC7 for $46 and and MPE IC7SB for $19. The guy on the counter told me the Echlin is the premium brand and the MPE is the "bargin basement" type. Any recommendations? I don't mind spending the extra money, but it would be nice to use the less expensive model if the performance wouldn't suffer.

thanks for the input - I'm putting in a brand new wiring set so that should take care of the wires. I see lots of time at Napa in my future.

My 39 120 was converted (partialy) to 12 volts before I bought it. The alternator works well, but I don't like using the step down capacitors for the heaters and gauges. And I would like to keep it as stock as possible.

I have two nice generators to pick from and will probably go that route. I think I need to buy a new 6 volt regulator, coil and bulbs. Is there anything else I need to change?

The starter I had rewound several years ago as a 12 volt - will I need to have it changed back to 5 volt?

thanks for the advice.

thanks -that was a fun visit. Unfortuately all of the old buses are now in Los Angeles. Now that might make a fun tour, taking old US 66......