I just bought my Melling pump and screen today. I would like to hear from the folks running this pump in their V8s as to their satisfaction, problems and comments. I have a good electric vacuum pump to mount also. I just have to find a place to put it. Perhaps below the vacuum tank on the driver's inner fender??

For a member of the V8 Packard club? Sure. It is the same lousy chroming job that is on my other two. The numbers on the label look as though it had been written over perhaps to make them more legible, and some klutz wrote valve below the word cover.

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Dual four barrels were an option and Packard would sell you any option. Consider yourself lucky as that is a unique auto.
What color is the block and intake manifold?

I rarely disagree with Mr. Dyneto, but I have an original chrome valve pan cover in original box and the script is painted red. I have heard of several others painted red. I haven't made up my mind whether I like it or not, but if I do like it, then I have procured a rubber roller that a printer would user for inks and I would pick up the paint on the roller and go across the top of the script and then carefully clean up my mistakes. It adds a dash of color, but not too much. I'm still debating.
By the way, Packard did a lousy job of chrome-plating those covers. Mine were new in the box and I would have rejected them from a plater.

I just scanned my hardcover Master Parts and Prices book. It does not have the April 1, 1957 update on page 35. It does have, however, prices in the back of the book where they list parts they do not mention in the main book and it was revised Sept 1, 1956. For instance there are small plastic or nylon inserts that go in the holes where the fender skirt studs fit, part #6478791. A lot of people don't even know about these rare parts. I also have a softbound parts book that I feel is original because of the sharpness and clarity of the pictures and printing. It does not have the prices in the back. I bought it from George Hamlin many years ago and he listed it as original.

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The wheels on my 56 driver were Scottish Heather as that car was originally SH and DW. The wheels on my ciurrent 400 were different colors, but mostly black as I remember. I had them painted Eire green, but had the wires redone and have used them ever since.
The PI book covers engine detail. This is a work-in-progress and has yet to cover other aspects of restoration. I did note that blue A/C compressors were a service unit and that is what Dwight Heinmuller has in his Caribbean.

Keith, there are a little over 63,000 miles. It needs a lot of work - a new top, an interior, an exhaust system, engine compartment detailed, etc, etc. It will keep me busy for a while. And thanks for the congrats!

I ordered a product called "Rust Bullet" because of comparison views and opinions that it worked better than POR-15. After cleaning off the frame and applying it I will post my opinion of this product in this thread.
The first order of business is to pull the front clip, yank out the engine and tranny for a steam and repaint and do the chassis and engine compartment. I contacted the fellow who rebuilt my 400 trans in 1991 and he agreed to rebuild this one also. The car runs well enough, but as long as it is out of there I think it makes sense to rebuild it. I know it hasn't been touched since 1974. I guess I'll call Max or Kanter to see if they have a brake reservoir kit. I need a new fuel line and thought I would design an electric fuel pump circuit while I was at it. It would just be to prime the engine for easier starting, saving wear and tear on the starter. I'm itching to get started or maybe I just need a good shower?

Here's the way it looks now.

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I am the new owner of an old 1956 Caribbean. Can you see the grin on my face? It is not restored, but is well on its way. I brought the parts up 05/31/07 and the car will be hauled up by enclosed trailer. The paint code is VMV, Corsican Black - Dover White - Corsican Black. According to PAC roster for this vehicle there were 15 VMV cars produced. The trim code is 96 which is red and white leather and gray boucle cloth. I think Boucle is French for burlap, but what do I know? I have attached a pic of what it should look like several thousand dollars from now. In any case I am happy to announce my new acquisition on this forum and I hope I'll be just as happy albeit a little poorer when I say IT'S DONE!

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