Sanford,
Your carburetor metering rod is assembled correctly. The WA-1 carburetors used by Packard had what Carter called a vacumeter setup to operate the metering rod. This used a vacuum piston to pull the rod down against a spring when power demand was low. The pin on the throttle linkage is designed to pull the metering rod up when the throttle is opened wide.
There is a very good description of the carburetor operation in the Serviceman's Training Booklet for Carburetors on this site.

I'm not sure about 23rd Series, but the 22nd Series originally used a hidden frame for the rear window which had the convertible top material wrapped around it, both inside and out. See Service counselor Vol. 22 No. 11 for pictures on page 44 under Water Leaks, Models 2259-79. This style rear window was installed in material that was a permanent part of the top assembly. I have only ever seen one car with this original type rear window still in place. Most cars were modified when the canvas tops were replaced by either a glass window in a zippered panel that could be folded in for better rear visibility or by a plastic window.
The parts book shows different numbers for the 23rd Series as well as a zipper assembly, so some changes were made. See parts Group numbers 31.0603, and 31.0625.

Kevin,

You might want to consider a cheap beater vehicle for the winter. The bodies and pot metal chrome trim on 1951 Packards don't take kindly to heavily salted roads.
That said, you will find that these cars are simple and reliable. I drove a 1951 Patrician as an everyday vehicle for several years in the early 60's with no problems in spite of not being gentle with it.
Engine, suspension, transmission and rear axle parts are still available from vendors that you will find on this site. Brake and electrical items can be found at your local parts store as long as you know what to ask for. The parts x-ref on this site is helpful for many of these things.
As others have said, it would be good to check the car out thouroughly wnen you get it and come back to this site for advice.

Here are the numbers from a 1947 Six:
Motor # F39061
Casting Date 7-28-47
Casting # 388532

Also casting number from a 1955 Packard 400 is 440275-A
with Utica number C 12042

Quote:

Your replacement handle may be from a 1955-56 model. They look almost identical to the 1951-54 type but do have a different profile at the belt moulding.

Bill,

There should be a front and a rear bracket that the curled around part of the hinge slides into. The brackets bolt to the cowl at the back and to the radiator shell at the front and are often deformed beyond easy repair. Reproductions are available from the San Diego region of PI. They also list them for sale on eBay at times.

/quote]

what about 55 senior trans to 55 junior car...same? or is it only the 56 senior to junior that needs this flange you talk about?

thanks,

Hank[/quote]

Hank,

You already have the correct flange. Possibly one of the few parts worth salvaging from your transmission. It will bolt up to any 1955 or 1956 transmission tail shaft. The difference is between the Packard and Clipper models with the Packard using a larger diameter u-joint.

The Delco 1918148 points are the original equipment for 1955-56 Packards and correspond to Packard part # 530943. Used widely for many GM vehicles as well.

Someone may have put a 356 cylinder head on it. The bolt pattern is the same as for the 288 and 327 heads.
Easiest way to confirm a 356 is to check the engine number.

I've sent 3 complaints to eBay on these listings over the last month with no results. I guess that eBay cares more about listing fees than the happiness of their buyers.