The 40 160 is back from the upholstery shop and it looks great.
Now to work on the exhaust leak which I should have done while the car was waiting for the upholstery.
Anyway, I removed the intake and exhaust manifolds because I had an exhaust leak. I took the manifolds to a machine shop who machined the parts that were worn and lined up the intake and exhaust manifolds so they would be flat/square with the engine and hopefully not have any more exhaust leaking. This is the 3rd time I have removed the manifolds for an exhaust leak. That's why I had a machinist mill the parts flat. This is a trusted machinist who works on these older engines in the Phoenix valley.
I have the engine back together, now just working on putting the fender back on.
I also removed and repaired the heater (because it was leaking).
I would like to install my 'new' AM tube radio but I need to move the heater over. Where can I get information as to where to move it to or is it just where I can get it to fit after the radio is installed?

Jim,
Not to pull you off topic, but.... I installed an electric wiper motor from Newport Engineering. It bolts right up to the Packard firewall and wiper hook up. It works great. In Arizona my windshield wiper motors always dried up. This one has been working for over 10 years. Of course I try not to get caught in the rain, but it works great when I do get caught in the rain.

I have owned my 1955 Clipper Custom for over 17 years and for the last 15 years I have used a Chrysler fuel pump. I have the 352 V8. It bolts right in and I have over 50 thousand miles on it. I am not getting my car judged. I want it to be reliable enough so my wife can drive it without worries. I have driven the Clipper from Phoenix to Los Angelos quite a few times. I still have problems with the 'bad' gas and use an electric fuel pump when it is starving for gas, like when it's over 100F and I am doing over 70 mph. In the winter I can cruise over 75 mph and don't use my electric fuel pump.

Carquest Master M fuel pump #6866, which fits a Chrysler 318 early 70s, bolts right in. I'm sure you can take this number to any auto parts store and they can cross reference it. Check the Packard Parts X-Ref on this sight. There are other fuel pumps there too.

When I got my car it had a fuel pump from a Pugeot. So I bought a brand new Packard rebuilt fuel pump and after it was installed it started leaking. So I knew I needed something else. I still have the Puegeot fuel pump, somewhere. I also like the lifetime warranty and that it cost me less than $15 for the new Chrysler fuel pump, at least 15 years ago.

JW, the extra battery cable connection made it possible to use a different battery to run the car into my garage while I am waiting for the seat bottom to get replaced. The upholstery shop sent the car back to me with a dead battery. The ground cable would not reach my extra battery from a different car and the 2nd cable made it work fine. It was only temporary as the battery was able to recharge just fine.
I am still waiting for the upholstery shop to get the seat back. When that is done I need to replace the exhaust gasket between the intake and exhaust manifolds.

I agree I was lucky to get the fire out as quickly as I did.

Not having seen a battery cover, other than the floor cover, I decided to make one out of wood. I'm not a carpenter, just a backyard mechanic with no training. I just grabbed a loose piece of 3/4 inch plywood and made a cover for it. It's been primered and painted. If it lasts 5-10 years I'll be happy. No one should see this under the car and it will be covering the entire battery, so if the cover to the floor slips again, it will land on this piece of wood and I'll have no more fires under my seat.
As of this writing, the seat is rebuilt with a new frame and new springs. The shop asked me if I wanted the original back, $167 for shipping. I said no.
I just need to get busy cleaning it again.

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Here is a picture of the damage to the carpet. I was able to get the fire out on the carpeting but not the seat. Both items will be replaced. But the battery door (or cover) needs to be replaced too.

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I agree there was no spark under the floor. Here is a picture of the floor covering. There is a piece missing. That piece is a result of where the floor came in contact with the battery door. I will be looking for a replacement and I will be looking for a cover to go over the battery. Does any one have a picture of what it should look like? My battery door is suppose to have 2 tabs on it and I only have one. I am leaving the battery door on it right now while I am waiting for the upholstery shop to send the seat out to get new springs installed, mine were toasted (pun intended). The battery is out getting recharged. I am leaving the door on so my cats don't get in the car and get cozy, they also like my Packard!

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While driving across Phoenix on a very hot Saturday afternoon, I smelled smoke and then saw smoke. I was on the freeway and pulled over when I found a spot to stop. I saw smoke coming from under the front seat so I pulled it out and threw it behind the car. I put the fire out inside the car, the fire was just the carpet burning. The bottom of the front seat was already on fire and I could not put it out. The picture shows the bottom of the front seat on fire. The floor plate under the driver's seat got loose and fell and landed on the negative battery terminal and produced a spark on the floor which caught the carpet on fire and the bottom of the front seat before I noticed it and was able to stop. What I would like to know is, is there a lid or top to the battery box under the floor under the front seat of my 40 160 Packard? Where could I find one and where can I get another floor cover as mine has a little bite taken out of it from the arcing of the battery. I can always make a top for the battery tray so this won't happen again. I like to drive the car, but want to preserve it for future generations. My kids are happy that it's insured and will be fixed soon. They all want this one or one of my other Packards.

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Let me start this blog by saying I have found an engine rebuilder that I will not use again.
Having said that, I have owned this car for 8 years. Or I have been the care taker of a 1940 160 touring Sedan for 8 years. I had the engine rebuilt, transmission rebuilt, installed a new wiring harness and started driving the heck out of it. It's been in 6 weddings so far and will go to more.

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Count me in. I'll be driving my 1940 160 Touring Sedan over from Phoenix, with a smile on my face!