Owen, my 47 Custom Clipper has developed a leak in the radiator. I plan on removing the fan and water pump to ease the job of getting the radiator and cradle out. While the pump is off I plan on removing the distribution tube and see what I see. You are right, this is an easily over looked maintenance task that can lead to a cracked block. I think too much of my 356 engine to have it destroyed by a bad tube. Thanks for sharing.

I have been happy with the premiums and service from Hagerty.

There is a neat little book titled "Vanderbilt Cup Races of Long Island". It is from the Images of Sports series and is by Howard Kroplick with foreword by Florence Ogg. It is published by Arcadia Publications (ISBN 978-0-7385-5751-9). In paperback, the book consists of 127 pages of period photos (1904 to 1910) with extensive captions. There are a few photos of the Packard Gray Wolf. Great images. Check it out.

I believe prints of the DePalma painting is still offered by the Blackhawk Museum store.

fern51, the problem I had with the wheel covers rotating was on a 1973 Datsun 240Z. It was equipped with radial tires from the factory. I replaced the steel wheels and covers with period correct alloy wheels.

Here are a couple of suggestions:

(1) Try squeezing a gob of silicone on the wheel in several places next to where the wheel cover saw-toothed portion contacts the wheel. Once the silicone has cured, it should stop the cover rotation; and

(2) Over time the wheel covers lose their grip because of removal and installation. Try expanding the saw-toothed portion by bending with plires so it will exert more pressure on the wheel.

I once had a cover rotate and cut the valve stem. The cover would not depart from the wheel, just rotate around it. It is a condition that needs to be dealt with. Good luck.

I have all of my father's precision measuring tools, and taps and dies. I have used some of them from time to time, but will never sell them. The sentimental value exceeds anything I could get for them monetarily.

Dave, thanks. This is important information to those of us with the 356 cu. in. engine, and maybe the other eights and six as well.

Dave,

I take that your latest post means you were able to get the clutch out of the Clipper. Would you mind sharing with us how you finally accomplished the removal after so much trouble?

I think the recommendation from Eric about the Ford pressure plate and the Chevrolet disc is a good one. If you are concerned about quality go to the dealers and buy new ones (while you can). That is what I would do.

I think the pilot bearing is the same as used for about two hundred years as the front bearing for generators. Get a fully sealed one.

No recommendation on the release bearing. I would replace everything in there now that you have it apart.

Good luck.

Yeah, we were shocked when we first heard the dog addressed by it name. It was also interesting to see how the officers lived. Different times . . .