I have a 47 Custom Super Clipper, 356 OD That is having low oil pressure readings. Car has 59,000 miles on the odometer. Did some engine work 5 or 6 years ago
Just got everything together and ready for the road.
Start the engine and it takes about 30 seconds for the oil pressure gauge to go up to about the 40 mark. Driving the car at in town speeds the gauge reads at the 40 mark. As the temperature warms up, the oil pressure reading drops.
I took the 47 on a 10 mile loop yesterday. Pressure started out at 40 when the engine was cold. As were progressed on the loop, country roads at 40 mph, pressure still about 40.
Operating temp right on the center of the gauge. on the highway part of the loop, 55 mph and everything getting warmed up, the pressure dropped a bit. When I got back to my garage the oil pressure was just off the low peg, maybe about 5 to 10 lbs. I only have about 50 miles on the engine work.
When I bought the car about 8 years ago. I don't remember anything about the drop off in oil pressure. Been working on the car for about the last 7 or 8 years.
Engine work done:
New rings, standard size; All new valves, valve springs, New
lifter inserts, New standard size rod bearings, new water pump, Rebuilt starter and generator, new electrical parts,
new wiring.
After the mechanical work was done, the car went to the body shop for the body work and paint.
Brakes, tires and interior also completed.
Now I want to drive the 47, but the oil pressure is the problem. Where do I look next. New oil pump? New oil pump pressure bypass spring. Different oil? I am trying
a straight 40 weight now. I was using a 30 weight to start
out with last year.
The temperature stays right in the middle of the gauge.
Any new ideas??

Lauren R Lampi
Grand Rapids, Minnesota

I just completed my 47 Custom Super Clipper in July.
I used the DB 7.00 x 15 Yokahamma LT Radial with the widest WW plus Beauty Ring. They had just brought the tire out when I ordered them. I have less than 50 Miles on the car.
Now all the cars are put away for the season. ( I live in Northern Minnesota and we get cold weather and snow) Tires drive very well. They look great. They handle and brake great.
Very satisfied with the tires. Really like radial tires.
Have a set of DB 2.5 inch WW 15 inch Wire Rim on my 61 Chrysler 300 G for 8 years. Very satisfied with looks, ride, handling, braking. When I ordered them from DB, I had to cross my heart and promise not to use anything but Simple Green to clean the white walls. The Simple Green has done a super job on the WW's. I have used radials on my 54 Clipper for 20 years. Second set of Cokers. The radial tires perform so much better the bias Ply tires that the car had on It when I bought it.
Lauren R Lampi
Grand Rapids, MN

Thank you for the fast reply ! I have the " 4 terminal"
type solenoid on the top of the starter.
I think that it is an Auto-lite type. I think that it is the original on the car. The car has 59,000 original miles. When the car would not start, I would take a jumper wire and touch the negative terminal of the battery to the small upper outer terminal screw of the solenoid.
There would me a small spark at the battery terminal and then I could go in the car and start the engine with the starter button. Car was changed from the starter switch on the carb to a " push button" on the dash.
I don't know if jumping the solenoid did anything, but the car would be able to start normally after I did that.
Well, today nothing happened. Just dead silence.
Nothing snapped, crackled or popped. I had completely
rewired the car from scratch during the restoration.
so far things have been good as far as the wiring goes.
( The only major problem was that the courtesy lights
under the dash and the ones on the back of the front seat
do not go out when I close the door. I replaced the original with some new ones from the NAPA part store.
Maybe they are not the right type of switch. I just took the light bulbs out for now. I have three of the old switches , so I might try them out and see if they work.)

Thank you for the information.. I think trouble shooting the solenoid is out of my league. I will try to track down a replacement solenoid for the 47.

Lauren R Lampi
Grand Rapids, MN

I'm having a problem with my "just completed" 47 Custom Super Clipper. Starting problems. It would start erratically and now nothing....... not a chirp from the starter. Can't even jump the terminals on the solenoid
and get any response.... The starter and generator were rebuilt during the restoration and engine rebuild.
I have had the engine running off and on during the past week but today nothing. I'm thinking that the solenoid is bad. Am I on the right track as far as there is a bad solenoid for the lack of starting. What is a good source for a new of rebuilt solenoid. I was looking in my Kantor Catalog and they will rebuild a solenoid.
Looking for suggestions to my starting problems.
Thank you,
Lauren R Lampi
Grand Rapids, MN
47 Custom super Clipper
54 Clipper deluxe.

I would like to replace the Headliner in my 47 Custom
Super Clipper.
Any suggestions about suppliers of premade headliner
kits for the Custom Clipper with the Front to Aft
bow placement.
Also need the windlace for around the doors and fabric
for the rear package shelf.

The 47 Custom Super Clipper is in the body shop !!!
Body work done, Primer on the body.......
Now I need some help with a Color Formula.
The Original color was Vanderbilt Gray Metallic.
Does anyone know of a Modern Paint Formula
Or name of the color that would be close
to the Vanderbilt Gray Metallic.
I read some place the the wheels should be painted
the darker Lowell gray metallic color.
The body is going to use base coat/clear coat formulation.

Thank you for comments on my original post. I am still wondering about the "regular steel or Stainless steel"
Question.....
I have a Stainless steel system on my '61 Chrysler 300 G,
( The Chryler came with the Stainless system installed
by the previous owner...... It had all the joints
welded. I had to cut the system apart when I did
the Rebuild / Restoration )
Living up in Northern Minnesota, we have a long period
that we not able to use our vintage cars. Called
cold weather or winter. Cars stored in unheated
garages can be subject to the rest bug.
I belive that I will shy away from Kepich Exhaust.
I have delt mostly with Kantor and they have been VERY
helpful with my Packard projects.
I have been leaning to the Stainless System for the
longevity factor.
I just hope that I am able to manuver the pipes and get
the system installed.

Getting ready to send the 47 Custom Super Clipper to the body shop for new body work and paint.
Trying to get all the systems repaired / renewed so I don't have to work over fresh paint.

Looking at the current exhaust system.... looks like it may be the original (??) system. The exhaust pipe and tail pipe and muffler are sound (?) but are covered with surface rust and look bad. The muffler's outer surface has small "diamond shaped" embossing on it. The last time I ran the car was 2007 and I can't remember what it sounded like.

I would like to replace the entire system with new to be on the safe side.
I have looked at the Packard suppliers ( Kantor and Kepich)
and they list regular steel or stainless steel exhaust systems.

Question for today...... Go with the regular steel or go with the extra cost and get the Stainless steel system ?
Also, has any one had experience with either of these
systems in reguard to fit and /or ease of installation?
I have the car up on jack stands now. In my garage/
workshop. No lift in my garage.

I was able to purchase a Petronix Ignitor electronic ignition through the Pacific NW Region, Packards International, PO Box 205, Snoqualmie, WA 98065.
They do have a web site and provide a number of items for our Packards. They advertise in the PAC Magazine, also.
I have a 47 Custom Super Clipper with the 356 engine and the Autolite distributor. Cost was 95.00

They were able to supply me with a 356 Valve stem guage.

I haven't installed the unit yet, as I am in the process of reassembling the engine, rebuilding the front suspension and steering, redoing the wiring in the engine compartment and then re-install the front clip on the 47.

I live in Northern Minn, Still a lot of snow on the ground,
but today there is a spring snow storm on the way.
When it's cold out, I don't spend time in the garage.
It's been in the 30's this week, so am getting back to the Packards.

The Pacific NW Region does this as a Club Project. I like to support the Packard Clubs

Just want to add a THANK YOU to Bigkev for all his work on this site. And also to all the members that have donated information to be available on the web site. And also a THANK YOU the members that are there to answer questions and give opinions on our Packard projects.

Lauren R Lampi