JD, I had the exact same problem with my 356 engine. When I bought my car it had sat for many years without being started. It was very clean and looked like it had been well maintained. It had one lifter that made a terrible unPackard like racket when the engine was hot. If one only is making noise then it is probably not an oil supply issue but most likely something stuck in the plunger assembly. I was advised by a friend who is also operates a cylinder head repair shop to just drive the car a few hundred miles and the noise should go away. In any event I tried several of the recommended elixers like Rislone and auto trans fluid to try and remove whatever was sticking the plunger to no avail but had only driven the car on a few short trips. I bought a rebuilt plunger from Kanter and then removed the head, the valves and the plungers. I took every plunger apart and washed them out and replaced everything. On it's first highway trip the lifter clatter returned after the engine warmed up completely! Disappointed I drove the car the remaining 200 miles to the car show I was attending. The next day the noise did not return and ever since the engine now runs quiet as a Packard should. Long story short is I am not sure that it was the plunger and maybe the lifter body itself was just sticking in it's bore from not being driven for many years. My advice is to be patient and drive the car a few hundred miles and wait and see if it corrects the problem by itself. It took me about 8 hours to remove and reinstall the head and clean the plungers etc. so at $90 per hour shop rate you are looking at some serious money even given that a mechanic is probably faster than my amateur hands. On the other hand if you like tinkering with old car engines like me then it is an enjoyable challenge to do it yourself.

Whew, Sure glad you didn't include Volvo! I was going to suggest Chevrolet myself.

Does the noise happen all the time or when the engine is cold? hot? Valve lifter may be defective and you should be able to isolate the noise with a stethescope or a piece of rubber hose. If it's the lifter you will have to remove the head and remove the valve to lift out the assembly. If it's sticking you might try running a can of Seafoam or even a quart of tansmission fluid in the oil for a couple of hundred miles and see if that will clean it up.

Kev, It's funny about the book prices. A couple of years ago I was shocked to see the "Packard , A History..Kimes" selling on Amazon for $250-300 a pop because the book was then out of print. I even considered selling mine. Then it was reprinted and you can buy one on E-bay any day for about $40-50. Supply and demand I guess.

It would be nice to find an original NOS Packard 6 volt GPS unit!

Kev, That is great news. Bill Hirsch has been selling his products longer than I can remember and I was disappointed to hear your tale of problems with his products. I am very satisfied with the quality of the engine paint he sent me. After 4 years the paint still shines and has not peeled or discoloured.

Thanks for that. My 47 Super Clipper with the 356 engine has a 1 3/4" tailpipe which I suspected was incorrect for siuch a large engine yet the muffler does look old and possibly even original. I have no overheating issues but I don't think that a 1 3/4" pipe is large enough so I will have to go shopping for a new muffler.

Kev, It looks wrong to me. It should be lighter. I am not familiar with the 54 359 Grey if it was different from the 48 and on. This is a photo of a 327 engine in a 48 Super Eight. This is the colour that I am familiar with. I'm sorry that I recommended Hirsch but I was very satisfied with the colour and quality of the engine paint he send me 4 years ago. Your head looks like a manifold paint.

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If it were me I think I would buy it if it is as solid and rust free as it appears and is relatively complete.

Looks like a 6. It looks solid and would make an excellent car to restore. Parts are not a big issue and it would be a fun car to own. Better grab it before some street rodder takes a fancy to it.