The last time I looked into this BJ was 10% in both directions. Example: For a hammer price of 10K, the new owner pays 11K, previous owner receives 9K. I suspect there is a sales tax complication that likely applies in each state, that is, if the new owner registers the car in the same state that the auction is held there will likely be a transaction tax levied.

dp

John:
Right, Yes

See photos.

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This Sunday I headed out much later than Ernie . . . I would never be able to get-up that early. I took the '54 Cavalier with a goal or recording some video at Saguaro Lake, which was formed by damming the Salt River. The experience didn't turnout as I expected, in that, there was somewhat of a traffic jam at the entrance to the facility. Seems that on Memorial Day weekend there are hundreds of folks wanting to play in the water all at once. What was I thinking? I did a U-turn as soon as I could and drove back home. Much of the trip was on the Arizona State Route 87, and the Bush Highway, named after local resident Harvey Grandville Bush, not a political family.

Today was a 40 mile high cruising speed day. '54 ran quite well, rolling along like a locomotive. The car is equipped with an air conditioner ( non-Packard ), but the temperature was only in the mid-eighties so I drove with the 260 (two windows down, 60 mph) air conditioner on high. Humidity still a concept. When I first moved to Phoenix I noted that if the temperature in Phoenix is 100F that would feel about the same as 80F back in Connecticut . . . it's all in the humidity . . . some have it, while others don't.

PackardTaxiMan . . . Several years ago I saw a car very similar at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale. I'll admit it was the first time I got to see the taxi rear window detail close-up. I could use something like that on my non-taxi Packards. Also the back of the front seat looked like linoleum. Any chance that the car in the auction was this one, and I'm assuming the seat covering was correct?
dp

JW, One of the failure modes, that is a 'one per rev' fatigue failure at the fillet radius between the taper and thread, is believed to be a result of taper/hub relative motion. Insufficient torque may start that whole process. I know for a fact that after I replaced my '48 broken axle I went back 100-200 miles later and found the torque was well below the minimum required. Trust me, I know it was 'in spec' at 0 miles.

I sent my broken parts to some materials engineers that reported back the mode of failure. I also have some good close-up photos showing the multiple origin planes.

In addition, tribal wisdom for the folks that care for other antique cars that have the same tapered design swear by the 're-check the torque' process.

If you see a 45 degree fracture inboard of the bearing that would not be a result of low nut torque.

dp

Last Sunday I was 'out and about' giving the '48 some exercise. This time I 'suction cupped' a GoPro to the windshield . . . however it took me forever to edit the video, but it's finally done and posted . . . see link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LlvBZyTVX8

The video playback duration is about 13 minutes. The actual trip was something like one hour. The '48 was well behaved, as was I.

dp

Grandmaspackard;

In the 'Packard Literature and Manuals' section of this site is a tune-up manual for the 23th series cars. In that document are the float level values for the various WGD carburetors. Remember the Daytona (if that's what you have) style 'needle and seat' adjust the float level by shimming the seat. The instructions that came with the kit will cover this in detail.

Do not bend the tang on the float to achieve the correct float level on a flat disk style fuel shut-off valve (aka needle and seat). The design intent is to achieve the correct float level and have the float tang make contact with the center of the valve.

I believe the instructions will state that the float level is measured with the gasket removed, but double check that before you proceed.

dp

Interesting VE event today:

Seems the Commemorative Air Force did a low speed, low altitude fly-over of the general Phoenix area. I was sitting in my home office and heard the unmistakable sound of 'big round engines'. I ran out of the house just in time to see a North American B-25 (likely the Maid in the Shade), a Boeing B-17 (likely the Sentimental Journey), and a Douglas C-47 (likely the Old Number 30). Just as I spotted them they flew out of sight around a local rock formation.

Wow 16K + cubic inches rumbling around the sky, and I didn't think to take a camera or cell phone. I live about 9 miles north of Falcon Field, which is the CAF's home base. During the winter you'll occasionally see individual or multiple WWII aircraft, but the larger aircraft normally don't fly in close formation. Today they sure did.

Quite a sight, we had Wright's and Pratt's, but alas no flying Packard's today.

dp

So this week it was Brand X's turn for some exercise.

I went off for a short drive and try to work on my assignment of finding the 'Two Horsepower Formation', but that didn't work out so well . . . I couldn't find them, oh well, maybe next week. I also visited Taliesin West to get some travel photos to share, but since the COVID-19 business that facility is closed until whenever this hibernation is over? Not only are the facility tours closed, but also the road gate that blocks what is essentially a ? mile long driveway. There is a good amount of elevation change on the way to the facility which results in excellent views of the Phoenix valley from the upper parking area. That's strike two on my shopping list.

I went back to get a few close-up photos of the kids (statues) playing in the pond. At least they were still there, but I seem to remember a curious little girl and a frog at the water's edge. Either my memory is slipping, or she's missing . . . along with the frog ??? I did ask a resident walking bye, but he didn't know what might have befallen the pair. Perhaps they're in the community's meeting room practicing social distancing.

It's warmed-up about 10-15 degrees from last week. Peak temperatures were 100-105?F this past week, with a forecast for the up-coming week slightly warmer. Atmospheric humidity remains a concept, not an actuality. I did get the impression that less folks were out exercising . . . perhaps too hot to exercise. At least the pool water is approaching triple digits, so it's save to take a dip. With the warmer temperatures I'll head-out an hour, or so, earlier to search for the two horses.

See attached PDF file for some photos. Page one are several shots just driving along the same road as last week, but in the opposite direction. I included a few shots of my favorite 'traffic calming feature' along with skid/scrape marks curb at the circle's exit. Seems Brand X's speed is low enough to see a lot more detail on the drive. I'll keep my eye on the shrubbery, and note if any are missing. Page two includes the 'kids playing in the pond'. This whole mess may also be a fountain. If it is, I'll check around to get some idea of the hours of operation.

dp

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Pointed end down, before the nozzle assembly is installed. This part inhibits air from moving backwards in the fuel passage when the accelerator pump is moving up. The intent is for the pump to refill with liquid by lifting the check ball at the bottom of the well.

dp