Thanks Howard,
Asphalt wire look is a godsend. Thank you.
Diamondbacks going on this week!

Just assembled the parts....switch and backup light.
1. How is the wire from switch to the light routed? Through the trunk?
2. My backup light mounts in the apron. Any measurements for placement.
3. Any pics on placement of backup light switch?

Thanks!

That is great news...I can powdercoat the rims and leave the face alone...no more rust!!!

Thanks.

Did Packard paint the entire rim the body color or, was the face the only surface with body color?
Thanks

Howard,
Wouldn't your indication of pegging at charge indicate some weakness in the battery...maybe cannot hold a deep charge? Have you measured the voltage at rest and with the engine running. Specific gravity measurement would indicate a bad battery too.

Of course, no one gets more shade tree mechanic than me! But the checks are simple..

Update.
I keep a battery tender on my battery. So, I took the car out just now. Regardless of speed, the needle stayed in the middle. When I returned home, I attached volt meter leads to the battery and started the engine. It was around 8V at idle. When I raised the idle quite a bit, it went as high as 9.3v.

So to my simple mind, if it is a battery charge indicator and not an ammeter, it was behaving correctly to have the needle stay in the middle if the battery is fully charged.
Discharge spikes, when accessories are turned on, would make sense as when accessories are running, the voltage regulator senses this and diverts power to the accessories but that does not mean it is not charging the battery too.....so the car starts the next day..

When I bought my car, Ross Miller checked it out and as part of the inspection told me my voltage regulator (VR) was not charging correctly. He adjusted it and I was on my way. Here it is a couple of years later and the ammeter gauge was fluctuating wildly. I had a new VR so I decided to install it.
As part of the testing, I had to make sure my battery connections were good and the battery water levels were correct. Well, the cells in the battery were half full! EEK! So, I filled them with distilled water and went for a test drive. I checked battery voltage when I returned and it was 6.25 volts.
Here is what is happening and I was wondering if it is "normal".
At idle, the gauge is just slightly to the left of the center of the gauge.
When I drive, and use the turn signals, there is a big swing to D.
If I turn on a small draw like the heater motor, it almost pegs to the D.
With the engine off, and the ignition on, the needle is little to the left of center.

Data
Specific gravity all cells 1.300
Voltage at terminals 8.4v (after overnight charge)
Amp Clamp readings
AMPS
With just heater blower motor on 5-8
Headlights only high beam 18
everything including radio 38
just turn signals 5-10
Question: Is the ammeter working right?

Rscott77x wrote:
Howard,
There is a question I have been wanting to ask you.
My car will not stay in reverse until I let out the clutch. I think it is the spring and ball bearing detents. Does the transmission have to be removed to replace these parts. It would be nice to have it work correctly!!
Is my diagnosis correct?
Robert
Re: Falls out of reverse til clutch is engaged.

Have you checked the adjustment of the rods? Possibly the first and reverse idler lever or rod bushings are worn or the turnbuckle is adjusted a bit short and the lever on side of trans is not moving all the way into the detent position

If that seems OK, you can disconnect the rod from the rear lever on side of trans and manually move the lever to better feel the detents. If they are suspect, the trans top cover can be removed without taking the trans out of the car. The detent block assy is part of the top cover. Remove the carpet and there is a large sheetmetal plate held by several screws down each side which is covering the trans. It is large but will come out and allow full access to the top of trans.

Howard

I do not see anywhere in the literature on this site where the 47 clipper charging system is described.

Was there an Autolite manual for this system?
Thanks

Yes!! Tire prints on the chest!! I love it!!