Just an update on the progress of my shock issue...

Apple Hydraulics sold me four rebuilt Delco shocks, fronts and rears, to replace the Houdailles. Other than different length mounting bolts, they went on easily. Just recently finished the total job on the front end, from the steering box rebuild all the way to the tie rod ends were replaced or rebushed. Changed all the drivetrain seals too. Rear shocks were swapped to Delcos. Used lots of POR15 chassis paint also. Recommend that stuff.
Car rides fine, handles bumps well and no issues with the Delcos. Nice to have a normal car again. Apple Hydraulics did not want my old Houdes as cores because no other vehicles use them other than mine. No problem. I recommend Apple Hydraulics if you need their services.

I do have a few other questions needing help that I'll post separately. Thanks to all that helped with this project.

DJ

Pat,
Agains thanks for the help. New news on the issue... I just got word from Apple Hydraulics on Long Island NY regarding my shocks. According to their old records and years of experience the Houdes are a last minute substitute for the Delcos as there was a strike at GM and it affected Delcos ability to fill the order to Packard. Houdaille was chosen as a replacement at the last minute. More importantly the front shocks had to be redesigned to handle the heavier Packard car. This redesigned unit really never did the job well and were unreliable. The rears (one armed units similar to Fords) barely met specs but were acceptable.
Apple Hydraulics has Delcos, both front and rear for my '38 in stock and reasonably priced... Well it's a no brainer for me. I'll call and order asap.

So in summary I guess it all makes sense now. Packard sent out many Technical Service Bulletins regarding the unsatisfactory performance of the Houdes and the stop gap measures to regain a quality ride. Now I understand why they went back to Delcos the next year.
Thanks to all that helped and I'll post what happens next.
David

Pat,

Thanks for the insight. This shock issue is going around and around. Yes I would like access to that data you suggested to check. I am assuming you are describing the valves that go inside the shock to adjust the way the shock works to suit the ride desired? As in the chart in the '38-'39 Shop Manual on page 79? Valid point. When I mentioned some of these variables to the shock rebuilders across the country they said that they would rebuilt them to a firm setting? So where does that fit in the scheme of this question? So I guess I am almost back to square one and contemplating to just get the original Houdes rebuilt from one of the reputable vendors and move on...

I recently found out that the Delcos sit real close to the combo fuel pump on the right side. The Houdes don't even come close to it. Max Merritt has a '38 Eight with Delcos and will rebuild and sell them to me. That is where I noticed the tight fit as per the photos he sent me.

Well does this issue of Delcos vs. Houdes also effect the rears?

Again thanks for the insight and can I get a look at that data you refer to?

David

A post thought:

In seeking more info about my shock issue I found through the shop manuals that the Canadian Eights along with the Sixes & Super Eights use the same shock that I think can fit my Eight. Well if that's the case how about I find a pair of those and swap my Houdailles in?

Also do I need to use shocks that have the external valve nuts? 1937s don't so could they work?

Any one had experience in this?

My '38 Packard 8 mod.1601 has Houdaille shocks on all four corners. I am replacing them all as they are all beat. Adding new fluid did not help so the pros all agree get them rebuilt. They have been bench tested as I have one front and both rears off the car now.
Well here comes the question. It will save loads of money, time and hassles if I can swap over to Delcos at least on the fronts as they are readily available and appear to be less costly than getting the Houdes rebuilt. Also what about converting the rears to Delcos? The fronts are the typical two arm units while the rears are one armed. If you look at the '38 shop manual you will see a great shot of my shocks.
FYI, the sixes come with Delcos, also other close years to mine have Delcos too. Thanks to all in advance...

Hi from another owner of a 1938 1601 4-door sedan Packard. I hope you enjoy your Junior Packard as much as I do mine. The tranny is rock solid and the straight 8 purrs like a kitten. Parts are easy to find for most items, tricky for a few. Mechanicals are easy to fix and good reference books are a must. Rubber parts can be located through Steele and many resto parts through the big Packard vendors.
My '38 is Packard Blue. I get more comments from this car than my '40 Chevy hot rod or my Corvette roadster. Can't wait to see what your car looks like. By the way model 1601 has a rubber matt in the front and regular steering wheel, not a banjo style wheel. The 1601-D (the deluxe model) had carpet in the front, banjo wheel, side mount tires and I believe trim rings too. My car is the standard 1601.
Good luck with your find. This site is great help. Keep in touch.

I too agree with the guys that said it is a '38 Eight. The car looks just like mine, center trim up the roof, hubcaps that say Packard Eight not 120, and the firewall plate is a decal not a metal plate. I too have a '38 Eight. So where is this car? How is the interior? How are the running boards? Power train? Love to see photos of the inside... Enjoy the baby...

Thanks for the info. Any ideas on rejuvenation of the old rubber as a temporary fix? I have used the common dashboard treatments with decent results on other rubber surfaces ie. Floormats.. Any tricks for old rubber boards? Thanks to all!

MacPackard,

Not sure if I have contacted Steele but Kantor (we all know them) said that they have the Super 8s for 1938 (no Eights) but I am not sure they are just an outlet for Steele or have their own factory for rubber. Anyways, the Super8 mats are different than the Eights as per Kantor's note. They claim the Super8s are rectangles and not stripes. I am not exactly sure also if they will have to be altered, and how much, to fit the car and how closely they look to mine assuming mine are original.

Are the 1939s the same as the 1938s? Mine have 5 full long rectangular stripes with 7 partial stripes getting progressively smaller as the board gets wider. The stripes are solid rubber bump-like shapes. It also has a curved back up to the door frame bottom. Of course a curved front lip to the molding. Based on the fact that I know almost the complete history of this car I am assuming these are the original boards. I will be very interested in what Steele has to say regarding the replacements.

Someone mentioned that the aftermarket mats are really extrusions and butted with end caps. I have a 1940 Chevy that has new OEM styled mats and they are one piece units. I have also seen that on Packards too. Are the Steele units one piece? Any ideas on that?

At this point I am not yet looking to the Rhino solution but will be interested in the results. I am still looking for the needle in the haystack...

Thanks for the info.

After a closer look at my car, I think the rubber material is glued, bonded, or just adhered to the metal of the unit. After years of sun and heat it is hard to tell if they we designed to detach from the metallic structure or were permanently manufactured to it. I was under the assumption that I can somehow remove the rubber-like material and recover it with new replacement. This is how my other old car, 1940 Chevy, was done. I guess some of the after market vendors would use my old ones to create a pattern for the mold and then recoat my stripped metal boards. Sounds labor intensive and expensive. If that is the case, what is the story with the other Steele Rubber mats that are available for the 1938 Super 8 and V-12? Are they designed to recover the metal or be glued/bonded or what? I will continue my search but am I looking for the full running board metal with rubber top pad or just the mats? I am contacting Steele and find out what's up with that and take the other Packard owner's advice and ask if they used to make the mat or possibly can make it as they still may have the molds.
Thanks for all the help.