As I understand it (and perhaps this is a bit overly simplistic with my limited knowledge of that era of Packard) your car isn't exactly a 1949 renumbered as a 1950 but rather that Packard went by series with the 23rd lasting a year and a half. It was due to federal law that they had to have a model year so those after a certain date were numbered as, and called, 1950 models. Since they had not been numbered as 1949, they couldn't have been REnumbered!

As I said, the two by definition are different but have been misused so long that it's taken over. As for steam, I've often wondered about that too.

Electric engine is an oxymoron just as it is to call an engine a motor. At the most basic definition, an engine is internally powered while a motor is externally powered and the two words are not supposed to be interchangeable but have come to be through misuse. Calling an engine a motor is one thing, though, but calling an electric motor an engine is ridiculous!

It's typically caused by carbon build-up on the stem which can happen, as Howard said, with bad petrol but possibly also if running far too rich. I was one of those he mentioned and in my case the build up was so great and on so many valves both in the up and in the down position that the cam couldn't even turn.

The other more serious possibility is that some of the sand from the interior sand blasting has worked its way into it.

Looks like a nice, clean Packard that I hope finds a good home. It's not a Classic, of course (no 1948 and newer Packards are Classics) but still a nice antique.

Keep in mind that the service manual photos and those in the Packard Serviceman's Training Manual were supplied by Bendix so are not specific to Packard. When rebuilding mine recently, I noticed several differences but nothing affecting the functionality.

Going from old memory, it should have the post as Chris described and the arm itself can be popped off the post as described earlier.

Don't run it until you've determined the problem, especially the noise. Doing so may cause serious damage when it is likely something minor now.

This is perhaps not a great photo but it shows the piston down in the bore and once removed taking out the screws that can be seen and removing the steel plate, the seal just sits there. It should have no glue or adhesive of any sort but may be stuck with age.

Incidentally, the dust seal that is visible here on the shaft is not included with the kits but I have had some new ones made in case you want to replace that too.

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James, some photos would help but, in spite what it says to the left, I am in the same area as you so can possibly even come by and take a look (if masks and social distancing can be observed). In the meantime, check my 1954 Patrician blog which is linked below where I was working on mine and I have quite a few more photos not posted that might help. That work starts around page 13.