I have driven my 55 Clipper Custom almost 70,000 miles in 10 years. The only time I use my electric fuel pump is during the summer time when it is over 100'F and I'm going faster than 55mph. My car acts like it is running out of gas until I switch on my electric fuel pump and then everything smooths out, even when I'm doing 75mph (that's the speed in Phoenix, AZ). I still drive to car cruises during the summer and I will still use my electric fuel pump when it's hot. In the winter here, I don't use the electric fuel pump.

My 40 160 Touring sedan has an electric fuel pump for the same reason, except it needs it when I hit 50 mph (I don't do 75 mph with my 40 160, no overdrive).

My 53 Patrician acts like it is running out of gas as well, until I turn on the electric fuel pump.

I crank the engine until it fires. I know there is no fuel in the carburetor.

I don't know if it's the gas here in Phoenix or LA, but I will use my electric fuel pumps when it's hot here (or there).

That's why I use an electric fuel pump. (Maybe it's me.)

No, it starts just fine. I only needed the starter fluid for the 1st start. After that it starts right up on its own. Thanks for the help.

I just checked the carburetor and both accelerator pump jets are squirting gas. Thanks for the idea to check it, I'm glad it's working.

After checking to see if my points are working. I had to make another spark plug wire to see if I had a spark and I did. I saw that my fuel pump was working because I have a clear plastic filter that filled up every time I tried to start it. I pulled the spark plugs and found them dry. So I sprayed starter fluid in the carburetor and the engine roared to life. At first it sputtered then it smoothed out and is quiet. No more exhaust leak! No more stumbling!

Now I should check the distributors on my other Packards!

Thanks, Fred. The slide hammer worked just fine.

Now to see why it won't start. So far it has no spark.

I put the intake/exhaust manifold back on, it had the heat riser valve removed and welded closed. I put the freeze plug back on, putting it in the freezer over night helped with that.
I put the distributor on and found I had no spark. Since I rebuilt this one and another one for the 48, I thought the 48 distributor would fit. Well the pin was too long on the distributor shaft so we grinded it down to fit, I thought. It was tough going in and stopped way too short of going all the way in.
Let me back up and say the distributor that came with my 53 is for a 51-52 Packard. The distributor that came with the 48 Sedan is for a 50 Packard and that is the one that is stuck in the engine.
I can't pull the 48 distributor out. I thought maybe some one here had an idea I could try, with out removing the engine. You can see I bent the flange trying to pry it out. I pushed it in by hand and now it won't come out. The distributor can spin and the shaft can also spin.
Do you have any ideas on how to remove my stuck distributor?
Then once it's removed, I can get back to why there is no spark while trying to start the car. I just had this distributor rebuilt and the guy made a new bushing for it. The distributor shaft no longer wobbles.

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Both Clippers look great!

Here are another 'Pair of Clippers'.

I like them both. I also like the black walls, so I don't have to clean the white walls every time I drive them.

I've had the right one for 19 years and the left one for 8 months.

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I have 2 55 Clipper Custom Sedans. One has the Chrysler 727 transmission and one is still has the original Twin Ultramatic. Both are doing fine. I just replaced the flex plate on the Chrysler one after 50,000 miles. The original one I just got and the transmission is doing fine. I would have kept the 1st one original but the transmission mechanic said it would cost the same to convert it as to rebuild the original. He was wrong, but I have been enjoying both cars. I do miss an overdrive, but I enjoy driving either car. I also miss disc brakes, but that is discussed in another thread.
If I had to start over with the first one, I would have had it rebuilt.
I think there is a Packard manual transmission with overdrive that would bolt right up and give good gas mileage, if that is all you are looking for. They are hard to find, but they were built.

I have the same problem of the gas stumbling on my cars. Turning on the electric fuel pumps solves the problem. On cooler days, I don't need the electric fuel pump. On hotter days, even in Phoenix, AZ (+100F) I use the electric fuel pump.

I pulled the fender off.

I got the exhaust/intake manifold off. The exhaust manifold has now been repaired. I just need to install it.

I took the distributor to a local guy who repairs Model A's and he put the distributor on a Sun diagnostic system. He turned it on and found the firing was wandering. The distributor shaft is still loose. I'm looking into getting it repaired the right way this time.

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