Thank you all for your input. As I'm piecing this all together it has dawned on me that I have been seeing this odd looking 'foam' of sorts in the radiator. I'm willing to bet it all on the head gasket. And now the more I think of it I only torqued the head down once after I got it back from the machine shop. I'm also thinking that maybe I should add another washer on the bottom of those acorn nuts - maybe they're bottoming out on the stud making the torque reading not really mean what it should.

Well now the next question - should I go with Olson's gaskets for a head gasket or do you all recommend another vendor? Is there another vendor for that matter?

Thanks again for the help. I'll take a head gasket over a stuck valve - I think...

-Crin

Hi,

As an update, I ran a compression check and here are the results:

Cyl #1: 130 psi - holds steady
Cyl #2: 130 psi - holds steady
Cyl #3: 130 psi - holds steady
Cyl #4: 130 psi - holds steady
Cyl #5: 50 psi - holds steady

Cyl #6: 30 psi - pressure drops and I can hear it 'puffing' through the carburetor.

Cyl #7: 30 psi - pressure drops and I can hear some 'puffing' through the carburetor.

Cyl #8: 130 psi - holds steady.

So now I know something but I literally have less than 500 miles on this engine since it was rebuilt about 6 years ago.

Where do I go from here? Check the valve adjustment? That is my next inclination.

Thank you,
Crin

Hi all,

So I park the can one day and all is well then then next day I go to take it for a cruise and it's spitting up through the carburetor. At first I thought it was an exhaust leak then I went to take off from a dead stop and it hesitated really bad and you can just hear it popping though the carb.

I thought perhaps it was time for a tune up - I changed the plugs, points, synchronized the points, checked the timing - right at 6 degrees - and it's still spitting through the carb. I've never adjusted the valves in the 3 years the car's been running. Maybe that's the problem.

I was just curious if I can pick your brains and see if anyone has had a similar experience and what you all might recommend.

Thank you in advance,
Crin

Thank you!

Hi,

I was curious if anyone knew if the water pump can be removed off my '36, 1401 without pulling the radiator. I restored the car myself but obviously the engine was out of the car when I assembled it - so there was lots and lots of clearance when I installed the water pump. Now, not so much ... looks really tight in there. I also remember that the radiator was the last thing standing on the frame other than the engine when I took the car apart. So now I'm thinking that I would have to disconnect the front fenders from the shroud and remove it which I really don't want to do but if I must I must.

Thank you in advance,
Crin

Oh yeah I can see that. This is a momentary switch so you'd have to press it to complete the circuit. The button itself is mother of pearl and looks like it may have been there originally but you never know. Maybe I'll hook up a small light to it.
Thanks for the input

Hi
I noticed a switch in the pass side glove box of my 36 1401 car.
Looks like it would turn something on temporarily but I didn't see a light or anything like that in the glove box so I'm curious what it's for.
Thanks
Crin

Thank you all for your help.

The drums have been turned but I'm starting to think that I should have replaced all the springs which I did not do. For all I know they might be the original ones from 1936.

I also did not go through the Packard procedure after the major brake job nor do I know where to find that procedure.

Other than Max Merritt who else might have all the spring hardware for this car? I know they have it but it's like $125 per axle. Not too bad for senior Packard parts but I bet they get them from somewhere else cheaper.

Thanks again for the help.
Crin

Hi,

I can narrow the noise down to the wheels - more so, the driver's side rear wheel. The brakes are fairly well equalized - pulls slightly to the right but not much. All the other items you mentioned are in proper working order - it's like its coming from inside the drum.

Oh, and the noise is like a squeal - low pitch when braking from low speeds and higher pitch when braking from higher speeds.

If I drive it for 10 minutes and have to hit the brakes more forcefully the noise goes away or rather isn't as predominant.

Thanks,
Crin

Hi

My 36 model 1401 makes all kinds of noise when braking lightly. If I drive it for a while and apply the brakes a few times more firmly the noise goes away (well almost - it still makes a little noise but not nearly as bad).

The shoes have about 200 miles on them and the retaining springs are original.

Any thoughts?

Thank you in advance,
Crin