Does anyone have a generic brand/PN for a gas cap twist-on lid for a 55? I apparently absently mindedly left mine for my 55 Pat at the gas filler pump. I'm guessing the same cap fits 51-56. The local O'Reilly's has no clue, but if I have a brand/PN they can order it.

Craig

I've used an air-to-air trans cooler mounted in front of the radiator since the early 2000s. I not only disconnected the stock T-U cooler, but removed it entirely and used a replacement flex hose to connect the radiator and water pump inlet. I cut and connected the trans lines to the new cooler.

The T-U works perfectly. It gets to 115F here in Southern Nevada in the Summer.

I'll try and take a picture tomorrow and post it. Maybe I can find the original receipt buried somewhere in my files.

Craig

Brenda Quote:

Buy and use a "battery maintainer" style charger. Most come with 6V-12V switches.

Craig

As you may recall from previous posts, both the upper and lower dash panels are painted body color, i.e., Copper Metallic and are quite dazzling. This is fine until one is driving into the afternoon Sun and there's a nasty reflection off the dash. Junior 55-56 have the same problem, but with them it depends on the color. Here's a picture in the early morning Sun with cloudless sky showing the problem:



The camera automatically stopped down the reflection, so the reflection is worse to the naked eye.

Here's what I came up with to solve the problem when it occurs:





The "dash mat" is cut conformal to the shape of the dash. The holes go around the speaker covers which also serve to locate the mat. The "Panther Paw Print" is purely decorative and in keeping with the theme of my Panther. The mat may be removed when not needed or installed when needed or when at car shows.

Credits: Cathy at B's Embroidery did the Panther Paw Print and Judy Strait cut and sewed the mat and paw print.

Craig

Muir,

Do your 352 with reground crank a benefit and buy the Olds oil pump conversion kit from Jack Vines who's selling them now. Between Jack & I there are probably on the order of 2 hundred satisfied Packard V-8 owners.

I'm not going to get into a discussion/argument of the original pump vs the Olds as that has been hashed over innumerable times on this forum. Here's some pages on my website explaining it. The full flow filter conversion is not normally required.

http://1956packardpanther.com/PV8C/PV8C_OHVOPA.html

Craig

Trevor K Quote:

Electric conversion the ONLY answer. See this on my website:

http://1956packardpanther.com/Panther/wipers.html

BTW, I'm glad the Olds oil pump conversion worked out for you. Between myself and Jack, there are hundreds of satisfied users with that kit.

P.S. The oil pump and the wipers are the two main deficiencies. Of course, a disc brake conversion is required if you're going to drive your Pat much, particularly in metro areas with lots of "rice rockets." Otherwise, I think that most Packard engineering is first rate.

Craig

Howard, you're the man! Thanks.

Craig

Anyone have a picture that they can post showing the stock mounting of the 1956 (not 1955 since they are somewhat different) Torsion-Level control box, stone shield and intermediate rod to the main T-L bar? Neither the service manual nor the parts book exploded view are very helpful.

Craig

As Jack Vines points out, there is only one SURE solution. Replace the oil pump with the Olds conversion. End of problem. Why screw around?

Craig

I like "old school" even though the cruise control (comfort) and LED lights (safety & efficiency) are modern. If I were going to turbocharge it, I definitely would have gone EFI. As it is the carbs are "period correct."

Craig