I've seen this car as well on Craigslist and had the guy send me some pictures. The motor was running before he got it, but he hasn't run it since due to needing to replace the wiring harness, gas tank, and fuel pump.

The interior looks like some rodents tore the place apart. I don't anything about restoring upholstery so I'm not sure how difficult or expensive that would be.

The biggest concern for me would be the rust in the trunk. It's really bad....most of the outer edge of the trunk floor is completely gone all the way around to the wheel wells. There are huge holes all over the trunk. I don't know if the floor pans would be the same. Are there any replacement trunk floors available, or would a repair like that be a complete fabrication job?

I initially was excited about checking out this car, but I'm worried that this one would be way out of my league.

Owen, that's the one. Mr. Roberts and his wife were very helpful.

-Kevin

Score! I found a reproduction water jacket made to OEM specs and it's on its way here. The folks at Max Merritt were very helpful. They did not have the water jacket in stock, but were kind enough to pass along the number to someone they knew who made them. I contacted the gentleman and his wife in California and they had one already to go (in steel), and it's going out tomorrow.

I talked to the mechanic helping us with the engine and he said the original water jacket is getting pretty thin in a few spots due to old corrosion so it's better to replace anyways.

-Kevin

Thanks for the info both of you. I checked with Max Merritt and they are looking to see if they have one in stock. It's been a while since they've sold one so they don't know what the price is.

Just called Kanter and they're in the same situation. Not sure if they have it and no idea on the price.

If none of that works out, then those measurements you provided Bob will be very helpful if we need to make our own insert.

We're gearing up to begin reassembly on the engine this weekend. The guy who has been doing the engine rebuild is gathering all the parts together in preparation. His shoulders are both bad so he won't be doing the work, just directing me on what to do.

He ran into a problem with the water jacket side of the engine. He thinks that this is the major reason why the engine overheated and cracked the block in the first place.

Inside this jacket is an insert:
<img src="https://rrxtmw.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mTtipmMMI3XILow7DRNlw-T1ffuJEo0zd0iiWrhMMpe5kUbTzwjNuK-uBCZeTkVGfzZlciJBX_ZOXWg-G8eveeUcq-oBbYx300IXPjOPH73QXzfzBgMY40emd4qG-JS4-hnhcbEYyS_B_kaz5HJFyT7Fps96Tce2HodJOcvxru0alW5fXX8dllgtHbVr7HH9V21QF0GBKc2DTXrHLf1iZXQ?width=495&height=660&cropmode=none" width="495" height="660" />

Which looks like this:
<img src="https://rrxumw.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mxyrZ2slbu5MXATLNtnXsitwAylyKGH3isrlvo7WTV4jJW4HXYLmT66xMjFDh3fmXOpf9AiRx4AK-Hr-rAl0kl-HeFEC46eRPPonn4uYSScB7G2O4cvk6FEFpSkzSYVm0Ut5WCVjR7od4clovwVK8q2lWKdelFMsOuQtuJrk8XbNhYUcBjOUYI5K_p1bUD7W1ebu5xLVpaOEpb348k9iVQQ?width=495&height=660&cropmode=none" width="495" height="660" />

<img src="https://p7ylpq.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mW7GLIsPxQV_NM54juAB5-7tGw6bvLUOvzTzYu-5ULLi2WbOb3gTmtkFtQakHWCeidTmDZA_1AlfkWCDhkCfT51WZc7ySZZ4CvcYqPavMEzYYbzFajLrPudsEqraMEXN2Xj_ma5LC0ZoNaGVqnSMuAX8A5hKzP1rJOQvC1eyNznnL48SoWYsWYRfDwqimxyDaXHPcjxmDxXm2X7WYPBJDvQ?width=495&height=660&cropmode=none" width="495" height="660" />

His concern is that this part doesn't seem to be "right". On other similar cars/engines he's found that this insert is much more detailed. The holes on this insert don't line up at all with the gap in the cylinder block between cylinders.

Any input on this?? I'm assuming this insert is not correct.

I'm also assuming we'll need to make a new one. Is there any sort of blueprint that lays out where the holes should be and what size?

-Kevin

Quote:

Thanks Owen. I'll get the L-8 ordered!

Quote:

Bob, it's definitely that car!
<img src="https://obzsjg.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mi3wo5xaVgIWb2wxm_jJUL4OUuSfO9p1T91iX2-1mYyTQWvpcCvrL4VkqNe2qnhWn5kicpxCx44_rxh2AUekZh_fpczdcBAvRTkuyD6CgwZn-uLJNj0qWujXZCZuQYI4TYJ-8x_v18RXZuXZ9CeTgPrEddpU0ySVU0gwyd2QafoO81PvSdXYaTFnZ0BM-KYDxLxLeTlE76BZG2ZXtj3MkVg?width=600&height=450&cropmode=none" width="600" height="450" />

<img src="https://olzbjg.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mByqXTH5tToedovB46ftXqGqra9lEwolcmnkY2LkyCIcws0A_i5YcEADp4Lb6Y8AlviXE8_IMXyPNY6zyLzjNTqzYEwxgpS4h7xCWndS6OhdkaUSHWZ_rK9_mC--B60oHBhAZm7o0pHoJsvXy4tvXxkYSVoYOgehQggjuXkyaGp1d1o_1jHz5c3t4UPmGLOtmxhfoRERV8vV3uIsuEeDceQ?width=600&height=450&cropmode=none" width="600" height="450" />

<img src="https://obztjg.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mnjfIsoV10NZB3jpeimNozWhe7anIdTWTG3Rn3V1XtnrTFUH1So0hccv-OY0pJhSCk-vA2pE_DGEM5i27cJSNE-4HfzDIZlw6JJrFabapjDRFtcmUYSGP1fQFmhKAtteScQcPDrsiciUHOmjZ090HXtQsbpR6pviDlBjXLB27as4F_xREN_5ih2UKoN0I9K-OmRJ_84-wG3_xM9e-nYdJWQ?width=600&height=450&cropmode=none" width="600" height="450" />

As a side note, I was able to attend Salado one of the years we lived in Texas, and had a great time. That was probably 10 years back. My folks came down to visit our little family one of those years, and dad saw the Packard was for sale. He went up to check it out and ended up buying it and shipping to Washington. It's a very clean car and seems to have been well-taken care of. The green interior was a little interesting at first, but it's grown on me. The wheel color and pinstripe are matched to it, which is a nice touch.

Quote:

The filter does not come apart. I tried again just for kicks. It certainly looks different than the R&A part...I'm assuming then that this filter I have isn't correct? The two halves appear to be pressed together....there is a raised portion on both sides of the junction like some sort of a pressure sleeve. The housing is metal, so I don't think it's the Burr Ripley unit (out of production, right?)

-Kevin

Alright, we are getting close to having all the components ready to start reassembly...hopefully within the next two weeks.

Part of the equation is the oil filter. It looks like the previous owner had a NOS or repro Purolator on there:
<img src="https://olztjg.bn.files.1drv.com/y4m__SR6sFiiU59z2NcswiTiLQHrDW0cjzyx0nVWaYoDSbh3SNo6wNIJ1KMMkJXFT9NW9rPlS2AtCe1klYGWp1PIuT3gDClOfJTi52fUIGlLYgNBMe2oaKve7nc4mHM_ikeEBoZbCuyKDwtdDeLVBsdp3vBaGydaCE4iGqzIFw5MWUfmk7--vjbAvmJ0_MBaAuxSrf3CSGawZGqEHDb2Se2dQ?width=1024&height=768&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="768" />

<img src="https://olzsjg.bn.files.1drv.com/y4m8yJUUmt1k-s_G7ziM9w2Yw170BtgMkYWruP_GDVxPLWYB1NC2GumPlRcH_eAlrD2WKrurQQ6IIxM4-_Ov46csWCRqHZ_JdTth-cFJttD1wjw2ivY_XG9Yrxq4UxIzleO7x85WjpGC8B8J8ooKGCrtf7eav7SvBNWMNv4nba06rjmtYDZhrWxMs3eGQ8GccUX2ZaCv1Cfcjt2O4yUF0G7Pg?width=1024&height=768&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="768" />

I have no idea how long this unit has been on there for or when the car was last serviced. The guy who did the engine rebuild said the oil pan was full of sludge. I've read on some forums that using a NOS oil filter can cause some issues because the paper inside can turn to mush and clog oil passageways. So our plan is to replace with a kit to allow a standard screw-on filter.

I understand that R&A is the only one offering a kit now?
http://ra-restorations.com/Oil_FIlters/OilFilters.html

What size is right for this car? L-6 or L-8?

The car has been converted to 12V.

Still not sure on the maker of the overdrive. Gear Vendors? Borg Warner? Not sure.

Hi Peter - beautiful car. I love that color.

I'm not exactly sure where the overdrive came from, but I'm pretty sure it was an aftermarket kit, and not from a '39 Super 8. I would have to double check on that to be positive. It's been years since I've been around the car so a lot of these details are pretty foggy right now.

Whatever it is the car does cruise nicely on the freeway once the overdrive is engaged.

-Kevin

It does have A/C and it did come from Texas. It is likely the same car that you saw JW. I don't remember off the top of my head if it is 12V or 6V....I haven't been able to spend much time around it yet. I do know the A/C was an add-on kit that the previous owner installed. We've flipped it on once or twice, but just to test it out. I don't think we'll use it much.

Next time I get down to my dad's place I'll get some detail pictures of the A/C setup. And I'll confirm if it's 12V or 6V. I might try to head down there this weekend and get a start on the engine reassembly.

-Kevin