Kevin,

A belated THANKS and Congratulations on your ongoing PROJECT (not the 54 Clipper, but PInfo website).

I second all the wonderful things said above by other members.
I also clicked the 'Donate' button (and included some back years as well).

You are the 2010 Packard Volunteer in my book.

Dan Leininger

Dear Macomb, (I can't spell your other handle, oops, I see it's Ramon)

I second Randy's suggestion.
I also agree that $150 is too high.

I got mine rebuilt by a self-employed 'pro' who charged me $42 parts and labor. He then asked me to bring in my voltage regulator so he could 'bench' set it to the generator. He also told me how to polarize the regulator correctly in replacing it. No extra charge for reg adjust and advise.

Here is what my "self-employed 'pro's" shop looks like so you can find one there in Macomb. It is in an older part of town in an old gas station where the tanks are removed. He does nothing but generator, alternator, starter repair/rebuilding. His shop is greasy with tagged-generators setting around on the floor. His coveralls were clean on Monday (they are dirtier when you go in on Friday). He charges an honest price. And he told me the back bearing always wears out faster because of stress from the pulley tension.

I am just sure there are good-old-boys that can tell you where to look for such a 'pro' there in Macomb, MI.

DanL

Alburton,
Very professional info board. I love the your son's(?) smile from the window. 'Packards with youth' seem to be an endangered species in the auto-photo world. Mostly just old geezers like me standin' by a Packard. I need to get a pic of our grandson lookin' out my window. Thanks for sharing your idea!

I have 'the first Clipper.' I have the OPPOSITE marking problem of your car. Mine says 'Packard' but not 'Clipper.'

I put some window signs up for shows and the 1941 INFORMATION and Prices gets the most comments (even more than the car).

My theory is that "Everybody relates to money, but not everyone can imagine owning a Packard." I have left the window signs in place during 'daily driving' and get lots of people who walk over to the car and read my signs. I want to share the 'enjoyment' and get lots of smiles (almost as good as the ones in your pictures).

I may insult your 'graphics' intelligence with a couple of cell phone photos of my window signs.

Happy Clipper-ing
DanL

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Great idea, Randy.

Anything to make WWW cleaning easier is a plus in my book.
I have "ancient" whitewall tires that still have good miles on them, but cleaning the 'checkers' is not the easiest.

I will try Mr C, and let you know.

PS: (Note my second saying below:
"Progress is made by lazy men looking for an easier way to do things.")
Mr C seems to have all the signs of progress

DanL

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Tobs,

Even w/o replacing freeze plugs, I would recommend flushing out the block as thoroughly as possible BEFORE replacing the waterpump.

1. Remove the drain plug on the driver side of the block. This will allow rusty water to drain out. Catch waste water with a bewpucket if you are not in a space where you can let it run to a drain.

2. If you have a garden hose with a long tube end that you can use as a nozzle, push it back and forth into the 3' cavity where the distribution tube fits. That space is 3' long. Keep moving the hose back and forth. If you can bend the end of the nozzle down a bit you can force water into some of the other ports.

3. If you have an air compressor, use air blasts with the water to make a pulsing action to break-up loose rust and dirt/crude. Even without removing the freeze plugs there is a lot of crude/rust you can get out of your block.

How much crude was in your distribution tube?
(I suspect there might have been an inch or two (5cm) at the back end of the tube).

I know you want to go drive and play Packard, but this will help your engine run cooler esp in summer heat.

DanL

Thanks OD and Kev,
I have wondered the same thing after reading shop manuals. The 'primary' and 'secondary' explanation as well as the extra mechanical force going to the rear (secondary) shoe was helpful info.

Good question Steve! I have guessed at an answer several times (correctly) w/o knowing why.

Happy Braking,
DanL

Tobs,

I hear good advise here from all posters.
39Super8's idea of putting a 'nut' on sounds useful and welding it even better if you have equipment or friends that do.

Be careful where you store the distribution tube. They are more fragile than they look. They can bend or mash easily, especially the copper variety which is in most Packards I've seen.

If you really want to flush the whole water jacket, consider buying new freeze plugs and removing the old ones. Then run a water hose and compressed air (with a long thin tube nozzle) into the block till you flush out the rust, gunk, goo and anything else that comes out.

DanL

Mike,
I never heard that 'fugly' word before (at least your contracted-version of it).

I imagine the GB Packard is one small part of a much larger 'toy collection'.

I bought my Clipper from a 'toy collector.' He bred and raised thoroughbred race horses in Kentucky bluegrass country. He had so many toys that he never played with this old Packard. Actually he bought it as a family favor to an aunt who was going into a nursing home. So you might say he stored it until he could find a PACKARD-FAN (like old DAN). For that, I am truly grateful.

Now old 'Clipper Jack' it is getting the attention he deserves. (I hope he doesn't buck when I put that Green Bay Packard sticker on it.

DanL

Mike,
Quote:

Yeah, I have "too much time" especially in winters.

BUT what do you say about the "Shriner guy" with the Green Bay Packers paint job, racing stripe, upholstry, matching interior, helmet hood ornament ... etcetra?

OH I forgot, this is Green Bay Packers, NFL, man-sports, t-e-a-m, ... This FAN obviously got the PACKERS-PACKARDS connection much earlier than I did. He has also driven it many 1000 miles farther than my bumper sticker.

I am sticking with my paint job, and being an avid DETROIT PARKARDS fan!


I wonder if this car ever gets hailed as a CAB?
"Taxi ... taxi?"

Thanks for the grins. I can see Spring from here.
DanL

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John
You have a gift of 'candor.' I have appreciated your forums and especially the history, since all of us are getting closer to being history everyday.

Hope you return after your vacation from Packard Info.

Regarding PackardInfo:


I have read and posted since 2007 on here. I have been informed by comments and questions from every person mentioned in the above thread. (Not to mention the 1000s of threads I have read and posted to.)
MY PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE IS:
1. Biases and perspectives are different for everybody. When they become gossip, insults and attacks, then that is destructive.
2. WE ARE NOT B.S-ing over coffee at the corner cafe here online. This is a public forum. I think PInfo invites everybody to participate and feel welcome.
3. Personally, I think that assinine comments are a reflection on the person doing the posting. Somebody else may love it. I choose to take it or leave it, depending.

Finally, my all-time favorite Abe Lincoln quote goes something like this:

"We are all about as happy as we want to be."

DanL