Hey Guys!

Not much going on; doing a routine check up on the '52. Like Hank, I've been tending to other projects, namely, my late grandfather's '35 Ford. I am having a lot of fun just like I did with my Packard. Something about trying to bring back a car from the dead makes me feel like Dr. Frankenstein. Working behind a closed gate where no one can tell what's going on. Until the day arrives that you wheel out the beast and garner the eyes of the "General Public". I don't know if that's just me, but I really enjoy reviving the Dead

Hope all is well Packardifo-ers!


-Garrett

Attach file:

---

  (137.82 KB)


  (102.56 KB)


  (113.31 KB)


  (18.01 KB)

Thanks BH, Hank, Rusty, and Ross! Sorry for the late response.

Not much to report about the '52. Took her to a car show in early November, which happened to be the farthest I've traveled in her. It was probably a 30 mile round-trip. Other than that she has mostly sat in the driveway. One thing I noticed the other day when I started her up was a water leak coming from the block, above the distributor. I'm going to have to fix that soon, not sure why it started leaking in the first place. Oh, and I lost my passenger side spear tip on the way to that car show in November.

This year I plan on getting her title and registration done so I don't have to sweat taking her out on the streets. And, I also want to get a transmission that works well. It is extremely difficult driving without a 2nd gear, especially when down shifting is almost impossible. I'm just not sure where to get one? I don't need overdrive, just a transmission that will allow me to truly enjoy my car.

Here's a couple videos I took today, along with a photo from the car show I attended. Links: vid 1 vid2

-Garrett

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sJkMHuO8T-o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="480" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AymimB3C_1A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Attach file:

---

  (65.12 KB)

Hey Tim,

Had the same problem on mine, turned out to be a bad ground. All I had to do was loosen the bezel and move it around until the signal would work. Make sure the metal is clean where the studs in the bezel go through the body.

Hope this helps,

-Garrett

Hey Guys!

Fixed the float and got the car running well yesterday. Ross, what you said about the needle being smaller in diameter compared to the seat, was spot on. I checked it out with the new "black tipped" needle that I didn't want to use, and that one fit much more snug in the seat. My dad offered to take the black tipped needle to the machine shop to get them to make a completely brass one (as you can see below). It worked just fine.

And I finally got to take my car to the Sonic down the road on Halloween night, very fun! I was dressed like a greaser, pompadour and everything. Now if I can just get this crap out of my hair.

-Garrett

Attach file:

---

  (32.31 KB)


  (87.41 KB)

50-55 MPH in my '52 last night.

-Garrett

Took the float out of my carburetor today because the car was running really rough. I saw a little bit of black smoke coming out of the tail pipe while it was idling, and the fuel filter was fuller than it usually is. Is the arm on my float bent?

Thanks,

-GearRat

Attach file:

---

  (25.93 KB)

Hey Guys!

Not much new to report, other than the arrival of my tail light lens and a couple of bezels. The bezels that arrived had better chrome, which isn't saying much, so off with the old.

-Garrett

Attach file:

---

  (99.19 KB)


  (94.83 KB)

Howdy there Ross!

You know, now that you mention it I think I remember the new seat I put in being a little shorter than the old one. I also reused the old needle since the new one was the black rubber tipped kind. That could be the issue. The needle doesn't fall completely out of the seat, but it does go out of alignment just like you describe. I am able to fix this condition by taking off the brass screen and sticking a paper clip down the opening and re-aligning the needle. You may have solved the issue!

P.S. Got the kit from Mike's carburetor parts.

Thank you Sir!

-Garrett

Hey Guys!

My Optima arrived today! Got her installed in the '52 and started her up; man I missed the sound of that engine. Drove her down the street once and parked it. I need to fill a couple of tires up and fix a small oil leak before I go any farther. Question: I noticed when the car sits for over 3 days without starting that the needle drops out of its seat. So, when I go to start it up again and gasoline fills the bowl, it begins to overflow out of the vent. Is this due to an improperly set float? The little paper tool I got with my rebuild kit to set the float didn't exactly tell me where on the float to measure. Since the float kind of angles, I went from the middle.

Thanks,

-Garrett

Attach file:

---

  (73.32 KB)


  (76.23 KB)

Hey Guys!

Howdy there Zougeride! Sorry for the delayed response. Being that there was no paved surfaces at my house, with the exception of the street, I had to get some sort of hard flat surface to work on. All the money I earned at my first job was put into the car and the slab that sits beneath it. One of my co-workers was amazed by my level of commitment to have a slab poured at a house that isn't even mine. One big oak tree provides shade to the entire work space, hence the term "shade tree mechanic" I live to your west in San Antonio, and found the car in Seguin. I wish you luck with your Packard and work space enhancements.

As far as the current status of my Packard, I haven't driven or started her in 65-66 days. It hurts me to see her sit and look neglected, so I have been working hard trying to get a battery for her. I ended up buying an Optima red top from summit racing for $135.97, which should be showing up in the next few days. I figured I go for something that is lower maintenance than the lead acid type. And I finally got that ever elusive tail light lens I've been looking for, for over a year. I plan on driving my '52 as much as I can this fall since cooler weather looms. I have a big trip planned for her on November 23rd to historic Gruene, TX. There is a pre 1948 carshow going on there that I'd like to checkout. I can't participate with my Packard, but I really want to go somewhere in her. Here is a link to a site about the show, and how to register if anyone's interested:http://hotrodrevolution.com/

Hope all is well Packardinfo-ers,

-Garrett

Attach file:

---

  (92.72 KB)