Kev, they're all the same--just the length of the brackets to fit the various engines.

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Thanks Mal, if the '54 mounts the same way, then I am missing that bracket between the shield and the pump.

I may be able to make one pretty easy. I just want to confirm that this is how every attaches on the later models first.

Yes, the Max Merritt folks have made the "bearings coming soon" claim for about two years that I know of. I left my name on the list about a year or more ago, never got a call. That is one reason I took the plunge and converted to modern bearings. The other reason of course is the inherent failure prone thin shell design. They were just not a long-term component in these applications. I have seen to many examples of these bearings that have failed due to poor heat transfer and bearing / shell separation to fool with them. There is a fellow in the San Fernando Valley (Calif.) who is attempting to reproduce them in a .030 undersize and sell with the idea of buyers having machined to size. Not sure if that has materialized yet or not.

My 1937 Packard Six stopped running while I was driving it to a nearby car show. We were going a steady 55 mph when the engine stopped running. There was no noise, vibration, spewing of liquids, nor any other indication that something was wrong. The engine was at its normal operating temperature, 180 degrees, and the oil pressure was at its normal level, 45 lbs. The ambient temperature was about 90 degrees. The car has been running without any problems. Until Sunday, it started and ran normally, ran smoothly, and had good power. A quick check revealed that there is spark to the spark plugs, and gasoline to the carburetor. I also removed all the spark plugs and they look good; none were wet or fowled. I removed the distributor cap, and all looks good there. It would only backfire through the carburetor when I tried to restart it. My guess at this time is it is a jumped timing chain. I have not gotten into the problem too deeply before soliciting some advice. Any suggestion is welcome. Thanks.

Sending a prayer from Oregon!

Your growing family will be in my thoughts today. We need more Packard enthusiasts!! If we can't find them...make them!!

I don't think the stork will be paying a visit, but instead the Cormorant will bring a happy healthy child.

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It's long been rumored that Max Merritt was going to have the main and original style flanged rod bearings remanufactured for either the 320 or the 385 or both engines. I don't know if this ever happened but it's worth a call to find the current status.

Grinding the cranks of these is somewhat similar to the 356 engines where you've got to mill out the bolt heads retaining the counterweights, and later buy/make new ones to reattach. Though no shops like to do it and no doubt some can't or shouldn't be allowed to, there are several around here in NJ that can take the job on. In any event, not a trivial or inexpensive job.

A suffix indicates a mechanical change in the engine from what was usually or originally shipped. Most of them were because of shortages. Here is an example of a 20th series. Some 18th series had a C meaning a different camshaft requiring a different carb. Some 21st had both B and C suffixes indicating different clutch plate combo's which couldn't be interchanged because of supplier issues and some 26th series had oversize lifter bores so they didn't have to throw out the block.

I couldn't find specifically what the C meant for 19th series but am missing a few service counselors and have no TB's from that era, Perhaps someone else does and can find the info.

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Hi Hank
Prayers coming from Aust as well.

Agree with others they are a blessing, ...and the really, best thing that can happen in your life. (even though sometimes parenting feels like you are being pecked to death by a chicken!)

Seriously they are a joy - we just had dinner tonight with some European business guests and it was just great to see my 4 interacting so well and naturally with them. Made this old bloke real proud I gotta tell ya!

Our girls are 25 + 8 mnth boy, 21, 19 and the little bloke is 9.

Great times ahead Hank, take every moment in thanks for the opportunity to be a parent, God bless your family.

Russ J and family

Hank,

Children are a joy and blessing. The best wishes of my wife Kath and I go out to you and your wife at this time. Enjoy your children even at 2/3/4am when they won't sleep and neither can you! Now we're enjoying our grandchildren which is another experience altogether. 2 sons, 1 daughter and 2 granddaughters.

This will truly be a for you and your wife.

Hey Hank,
Being a parent is a challenge, but you have to relax yourself to enjoy it. Remember at 2AM when the baby is hungry that, even though you are tired, it is a time to rejoice.
Congratulations!
Best wishes!
Paul
(Dad to 5 kids...3 of whom are "adults")