Okay, I recieved a drum puller yesterday, and went out today to give it a try. It is a Matco puller with three arms. I used a 1/2" drive ratchet, and a very large steel pipe. The steel pipe is about 4 feet in length, and is about an 1 1/2" to 2" in diameter. I used a solid iron stake to keep the drum from spinning. I wanted to try the method I believe Craig suggested to someone on this forum. But, the amount of force being exerted was enough to lift my car off the jackstands, and pull it towards me. At that point I decided it was time for lunch. I'm thinking if it doesn't get any easier, or come off in the next three days, I will go buy a propane torch and heat the hub. Any other ideas if she doesn't come off in the next 3 days?

-Garrett

Hey Guys,
Wanted to find out what the lengths are on the upper and lower radiator hoses. I tried looking under a 1952 Pontiac Chieftain, but the lengths listed are, 11 1/4" and 16 1/2", which seem to be too short. Any help is greatly appreciated.

-Garrett

Hey guys,
Thanks for the great advice! I have left my improvised puller tensioned on the drum overnight. I am going to go outside and give it another try today. I will keep you updated on the status of those stubborn drums.

-Garrett

The fuel cell cost me around $185. It is a Jaz products 16 gallon fuel cell. She comes with a 70-10 ohm fuel sending unit, to work in place of the proper 75 or 80 ohm sender. There is also a 2" sump to help with low level starvation. The reason I went with this tank was because the original was in really bad shape and would likely cost more in the $200's. It needed to have holes and other sheet metal work done on the top, get re-lined, and have a new sending unit installed. All of which will be done at a later date, due to my budget and time constraints.

By the way, has anyone had a "REALLY" hard time getting their rear drums off? I rented a jaw type puller from autozone, and made some brackets to attach to the lugs. The brackets I made are about 1/8" to 3/16" thick. Even with those brackets being that thick, they are getting bent by the force of the puller. With all that force the drum doesn't even budge. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

-Garrett

I'm slowly making progress, but is it enough to get me to the big dance in Austin on time? April 13th - 15th there is a car show in Austin, TX called the "lonestar roundup". Some call it the "Sturgis" of car shows, but that's up for debate. Not only does my car have to be ready to drive by then, but it also has to be registered, inspected, and ready to make an 150 mile round trip. I don't plan on having it painted by that time. I think the 60 year old patina will definitely get some attention. Anyways, here are some photos of the progress i've made thus far.

-Garrett

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I don't know if you have seen this before or not. It is a supercharged Packard straight 8 that was dropped into a rat rod. Pretty neat setup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQcqO-BLMV0&context=C36cf947ADOEgsToPDskIrhakuyKSqurpnBG2KbuMA

Hey Guys,
Thanks for guiding me to get this far. I really appreciate you all pushing me away from wanting to put that 302 in her. That would have been a "HUGE" juvenile mistake! This 288 straight 8 is infinitely cooler than almost any V8. It has taken a while to get this engine started, but that is because I wanted to make sure every kink was worked out. A pressure test and some new hoses should do the trick to keep that 288 cool. My MP brakes master cylinder has already arrived, and my gas tank is soon to follow. So, possibly here in a few weeks I will be posting a video of me driving this baby down the street. Again, I thank and accredit the wealth of knowledge and helping hands this community has shown me to get another Packard engine firing on all cylinders.

-Garrett

YES!!! She finally runs, and runs good. All it took was making some better electrical connections, and a better fuel feed. I couldn't hear a miss at all, so I believe she was running on all cylinders. I do think that if any mosquitoes were around, they aren't now.

See the video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMSE81KGIh8&feature=youtu.be

Starter works, coil works, just no fireworks. Tonight me and my father tried to get my old 200 deluxe going. It has sat without starting for an assumed 40 years. We were able to get a few cylinders to fire, but not enough to get it spinnin'. So, tomorrow I will make some better connections, and a better fuel feed. I sure hope she will start up so I can finally hear what a straight 8 sounds like. I have goosebumps just thinking about it. This is my first Packard, and first car, so my emotions are running high. If I can get her started tomorrow I will definitely post a video.

-Garrett

Just got my starter back from a local re-builder. My starter actually challenged him pretty well. The problem ended up being the bolts holding down the solenoid. They were a bit too long, and were touching the fields. This was causing negative and positive current to flow through the starter. He also put in new fields and says she is ready to go. Now it is time to finally get this show on the road!!!