Got this advice on checking the generator:

(will be doing this after heeding the above advice and checking the battery and rest of the system first...)

To test your generator you will need a voltmeter and a test lead.

Remove the field and armature wires from the regulator. Ground the field wire. Attach one side of the voltmeter to the armature lead and the other to ground. This is max output of the generator.

If the generator is working at a fast idle the voltmeter should begin to climb. The faster the engine rpm the higher the volts. If this happens most likely the generator is still working. If the voltmeter only reads nada
or 3-4 volts then said generator is shot.


101 Questions -

What is ment by a 'test lead'?

Where is the regulator located?

Are there only two wires attached to it (field & armature)?

How do I tell them apart?


Thanks!!!!

"The problem with these kind of online diagnostics is that too little info is given. We do not know the history of the USE of the car prior to this problem.

Did the car run just fine BEFORE the new battery was installed???? How long did the OLD battery last??? WHY did u replace the battery?????"



The car is one that is infrequently used. Once every few months. The battery was installed about a year and 1/2 ago and is always on a trickle charger. Charging / battery issues have indeed not beeen an issue until this problem.

Thank you all for the help.. I will not be able to get into the shop to play w the old girl for a few weeks... will keep you all posted.


For arguments sake.. how much is a generator rebuild and who does it?

Took the Packard for a nice ride on Sunday. She started right up and performed flawlessly! I was out for about 45 minutes.

Parked it in the driveway to let her cool down before putting her away. When I went to re-start her the engine would barely turn over and it seemed the battery was almost dead. After a few tries the battery was cooked... so, I hooked up my 6v jump starter.. first off, there were a few sparks when I went to attach the clips. I am 100% sure I had positive to positive and neg to neg.

After I got it hooked up I tried to turn the eninge over... nothing. And, my electric fuel pump would not switch on either... ???

Did I do any damage to the electrical system by trying to jump start it?? Is there a right and wrong way to jumo these cars????

I am thinking my initial issue is the generator is not working properly. The battery is only about 2 years old. There is a chance it is shot but I dont think so. I am going to see how it does after a few days on the trickle charger.

I will need to check out the generator to see what the issue is there... and I hope I didn't cook the electric fuel pump...

Any thoughts ??? Thanks!

Well, not sure of the condition of the bushings, tie rod ends or other suspension components. The car had been painted a while back and not restored. Just in the beginnings of the planning phase right now. As I move along I will have to inspect individual parts.

My guess would be the shocks would neet to be rebuilt. The car currently 'floats' its way down the road.....

Does anyone have some detailed pictures of the 120 front and rear suspension? Perhaps just some body off pictures would help me get a good idea of exactly what I'm looking at here....

Has anyone here done any improvements to their suspension? I can't imagine that a 75 year old design cannot be improved upon in some simple ways.

I supose the first thing for me to do would be to evaluate the condition of the rear leaf springs and the front coils.

Is it possible to easily add a rear sway bar?

Can a modern gas shock be used on the car without much modification??

Thanks gents!

I am getting to drive the Packard a bit more these days. My car rides way too soft. I prefer to resto-mod a car to make it more enjoyable for me rather than bone stock.

I really don't know too much about the inner workings of the stock 1936 120 suspenstion. What can be upgraded to firm up the ride? As far as I know the springs are original and may have seen better days......

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120745022247

1937 Packard DLX

Vehicle was burnt in a fire.

What you see is what you get.

Insurance paid out over $150,000 in claim.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250818851164


Who is up for a project????

Check this one out!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370501241833


Hpw can you call a car original when the engine has been rebuilt and it has been repainted?? That is restored to me!

Interesting car:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260752010177

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