I think the weight is pointed toward the engine. Do you know the relative position of the valve to the split in the shaft?

If I take off the manifolds will either of them need to be machined? Will I have to replace the gaskets between the manifolds and the block, between the manifolds themselves, between the exhaust manifold and the exhaust pipe, elsewhere?

My heat riser is stuck in a position where the split for the spring is horizontal. Is this open or closed? What is the effect of this being stuck in this position? How can I free this up? Do I have to remove both manifolds, separate them and then access the valve?

I started squirting the ends of the shaft with PB Blaster tonight. I'll tap and twist tomorrow, then re-apply PB Blaster and repeat twice daily.

What gas and additives to run in 1951 288? 87 with ethanol and no additives?

Thanks for your excellent reply. The Fram filter for my engine is a bypass filter. I purchased a Baldwin screw-on bracket and was planning on using a Baldwin B50 or a Fram PB50 bypass filter with 30W conventional.

The motor has mechanical lifters and has no filter. I don't think it ever had one.

Right now there is only a tube connecting the output to the input. If I take this tube off and replace it with a same-sized tube route to the oil filter, I don't see where the oil flow will increase. If there is some flow restriction, it must be in one of the adapters.

There's valve tapping. I haven't measured the compression in a while but as I recall the #5 cylinder has 60 lbs. Vacuum is low and swinging. I think the #5 exhaust valve isn't closing.

I need a water pump, which I have ordered from Max Merritt. After I put it on, I'm going to try to free-up the valve with the head on.

If I can't free-up the valve and get the compression and vacuum right, I'd like someone to look at it and confirm what's going on. I'll take the head off if I have to.

Why would this require a flow restricter?

I'd like to use a screw on oil filter and bracket on my 1951 288. Any filter P/N's recommended?

I'd like to identify someone in the vicinity of Charleston, SC who can work on my 1951 Packard 288 engine.