So my OD Relay Unit looks like it's been to hell & back. $625 quoted from Kanter... brand new. Now, I know this is a rare animal, and I'm grateful shops like Kanter are providing the service they do, but I'm hoping to start cruising in OD for a bit less cashola. I'm not even above re-working the circuit with a manual switch or two but thought I'd see what the crew here has to say first...

We're talking 2 straight-forward relays inside a metal box... gotta be some way to restore the functions they perform for less than $600. I plan on studying the schematics and thinking outside the box if need be. Maybe there's a shop somewhere willing to rebuild mine? How 'bout a Packard wrecking yard where one can be swiped off a junker?

Open to any ideas... thanks as always,

I know the previous owner worked on getting it started after sitting a while and he did replace the battery. Could be he jumped it while the battery was out. If it started, someone may have started pushing buttons and stomping on switches to see what worked, ironically breaking what did.

All seems well now aside from OD circuit, radio, and clock. I'm thinking my hard hot start was the battery not quite up.

Speaking of: can someone clarify the rear light positions? We have 3 circuits, correct? Tail, Stop, Turn... 2 holes for sockets per side. What goes where? Someone put double contact sockets in all 4 holes but I'm doubtful of the splicing so I'll try to return to stock; maybe install some LEDs. So, Stop up top, Tail & Turn below? No wait, Stop & Tail are combined, Turn above. Or is it... ?

Thanks HH56,

This one had me laughing: no headlights, high or low. Grabbed a meter and starting checking under the dash at the switch, under the car at the rear of the dimmer, along harnesses... saved the easiest check for last: both bulbs were burnt out - duh. I've never seen a vehicle with all four filaments shot but guess there's a first time for everything...

Hello PackardInfo Crew,

Been going over my 2272; pulling off cobwebs and trying to set things right that have been "adjusted" by who knows how many mechanics prior to me. I'm gonna take my R9 relay unit down to my auto-electric repair shop and see what they say. I'll report back but they just might be able to rebuild it. A vintage tag of theirs is on the generator so they've worked on this car at some point in the past.

(An older gentleman has been there since the '50s; those guys are jewels, eh?)

Now, as I'm chasing down electrical circuits, I've noticed that the motor fires well when cold but almost seems to flood when hot. What actually does keep it from flooding as you hold the gas pedal to the floor to start? Could be my battery's not charged up quite enough and there are plenty of junctions I need to go over and make "bright and tight"... just curious about the best technique for restarting within 5 or 10 mins when she's fully warmed up.

And am I right: no headlight relay? Full current going through the switch on the dash? Guess it worked fine but ouch...

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Thanks Mal. Here're more pics of the Nash than you probably bargained for; give me time and I'll get something similar up for the Packard.

http://gallery.mac.com/ellechero#100088&bgcolor=black&view=grid

Cheers,

Update: Done Deal!

So I went ahead and worked a deal for this local 2272 for $5,000. It has its issues but the seller was a really nice guy and it felt right; he even delivered! So I've been going over the car and she does run great. Here's what's on my short list:

? I just broke the seat position handle moving the seat forward so I need to track one of those down. Didn't know I was such a He-Man...

? The seller couldn't find the air filter so I bought one of the biggie assemblies off CL. I want one of those Packards that's so quiet you don't know it's running. I just need the bracket that supports the oil bath end. (327 if that makes a difference.)

? The cover has been long gone from the OD relay so I'm thinking of just replacing the unit. I'm free-wheeling so I think I'm permanently in OD at this point but need to go over the schematics and test all the switches. I tried pulling the OD knob while test driving and it pulled back! I have a '49 Nash 600 with a variation of this OD so I've got a wee bit of experience there. (BTW, it was the Nash's smooth L6 that got me looking at L8s and that got me looking at Packards and, well, that got me here to this fine group.)

? I'm leaking electrons and draining the battery. Last night I took a good look around with all switches off and saw a dim tail light and a dimmer pilot by the dash push-buttons. I read that the light switch sequence is Park, Head, Off, (repeat) but that little pilot wouldn't go out... wiring or switch I'm guessing. Time to get upside down under the dash with a flashlight and test light.

? Pushbutton's comment on brakes is spot on so I'm leaning towards Kanter's full system replacement kit.

? It came with a visor in the trunk and I'm kinda tempted to install it. No hardware to be found so I'm open to advise on mounting it.

So, any leads on the above parts suppliers would be appreciated. She'll be a nice daily driver with regular 3 hour weekend trips planned so I won't need the concourse level items.

Thanks much guys,

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I'll offer up my $.02 on this one: I maintain a fleet of vintage delivery trucks and have found myself moving towards Pertronix boxes. I'm a traditionalist and stick with OEM for the most part but removing the ignition as a likely culprit when troubleshooting is nice. I think we're running about 5 of them and haven't had any trouble. I might have even left a key on once... I had the chance to talk to a tech there and they have pretty much built versions to fit everything out there: 12V, 6V, Pos Ground, Neg Ground, etc. I'm putting one in a '59 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite this summer.

The Kiwi box does look pretty neat and runs a little less than most Pertronix kits so I'd give it a closer look.

Thanks for everyone's comments to my last post regarding freeway-ability for these old cars. I must say I'm hooked enough to be on the lookout for a Packard to call my own and have one locally I'd love some guidance on:

She's a 2272, 98% all there but paint's a little rough, interior is very nice, runs just fine but barely stops. That kept my first-ever Packard test drive to back roads and maybe 35-40 mph but that was enough to convince me of the reputation this make has.

So the seller is hoping for $6500, I offered $4000, and now I thought I'd get folks' opinion on these Packard tubs. I appreciated Taximan's comment on the mid-sized motor w/overdrive... that's what this car has. I must say I'm partial to the "fastback" body style and it looks like those have the smaller motor, but then again weigh less. I'd like to end up with a Packard I can do a little traveling in... no commute traffic but more than in-town cruising. I gather that any Packard will keep up with freeway traffic and I'll make sure to leave plenty of room for braking.

Perhaps I should jump on the 2272 and get my hands dirty, which I certainly don't mind doing, but with the economy as it is, maybe I could find a little more Packard for $6500. (I kinda regret letting this one get away: eBay 300421127099.) Well, I'm just trying to do some homework as I look around; thanks for any advice or info on dos or don'ts...

Michal

Hello Packard Crew,

New member (and likely upcoming Packard owner) here. I drove a '49 Nash across country last year and have been itching for a 8 cyl variation of the flat 6 that did so well getting me home. This brought me to looking at Packards and I'm partial to the 'tub body style. Just curious how, say a 2272 with the 327, would do on our modern freeways. The Nash 173 in OD did just fine at 55-60mph all day... working up a sweat but happy doing it. (Enjoyed reading the thread about tailgating and having respect for our machines with older-style brake systems.) For now, not having had the pleasure of being behind the wheel of a Packard yet, I'm just curious how they behave out there on the super-slab.

And... what are folks thinking of the '48 with the lambo doors on eBay? It's on my radar though a rougher, bone-stock 2272 is available locally and I kinda want to get my hands dirty... the eBay car has had all the fun stuff done already.

Lastly, a quick thanks to everyone who's taken time and had a part in assembling such a wealth of information on this site. It's a labor of love but much appreciated!

Cheers, Michal