THANK YOU ALL! I just had the chance to get back to the forum and am very pleased to hear from so many offering endorsements and support. GREAT SUGGESTIONS in getting started on the 120. I have begun with Step 1 by draining the old gas out. It smells like turpentine and is clear but a dark golden brown. It had about 10 gallons in the tank. No residue, rust or debris came out. The plug was easily removed.

I put in new "good ole fashioned gas" that has 91 octane with no ethanol. Nice to still have a few stations within 10 miles that keep the premium free of ethanol. Wonder if there is any benefit to use an additional gas additive,like Sea Foam, or the Lucas products, to further clean the gas line and carb?If so, would appreciate suggestions either way.

I have started to work on next draining the radiator. I have purchased two options for a radiator flush. Prestone and Gunk were available, each with a different set of directions. It seems the Prestone is a milder flush and the Gunk more caustic to the point of possibly stripping some of the protective layers on the radiator core. I like the idea of a more aggressive flush to get out rust and debris but certainly don't want to harm anything.

In the few times that the engine has run for 10-15 minutes, the dash gauges read normal for oil pressure and water temperature, but when lifting the bonnet it seems hotter than I would expect. The Oil Cap and supply tube are smoking a bit, noting the oil fill dipstick says "Full".
I wonder if the water pump is able to move fluids around the engine block or if this heating is normal. So hoping a flush will assist in lowering water temperature. Do I need to replace a Thermostat, and if so, where do I find one?

I did open the stopcock on the lower front of the radiator and anti-freeze did come out. Nice and green, no rust or any discolor. I suspect it was changed during restoration 5 years ago, but, want to be certain its updated now.

Hoses look "OK", no leaks, but a good idea to replace them all and not worry about some unforeseen problem. Should I use currently made products or does a 1939 need something special?

Next Step: Oil Change and Filter Replacement. I found some SAE 30, as recommended by the 1939 Shop Manual, made by Citgo/Mystic, on sale for $1.80/quart. A deal, I think, at our Farm & Fleet Store. Lots of farmers still use this oil grade for tractors so it should continue to be available. Other SAE 30 makes, like Valvoline and Castrol were $5.99/qt. Can't imagine they are that much better... ACE Hardware and Walmart had some off label stuff, no specs, so not sure of quality. Any thoughts on Citgo being OK?

For a new Oil Filter I called NAPA, who had nothing, and KANTER, who had a replacement Canister for a 1938, for $79 plus 15% shipping. Are there any other correct options, or
should I use the 1938 unit. My Shop Manual seems to suggest that the Flathead 8 282cu inch is the same in 1938 and 1939.

As far as on Air Filter, neither NAPA or KANTER had anything! Kanter told me to go to HEMMINGS and find other Packard Parts Dealers. Any suggestions on what should be used, or, could be used, to have some Air Filter Protection?

So, that's it for Engine Issues, now Trim & Accessories.

The pot metal passenger side front door handle fell off. The pot metal cracked with small pieces falling off. KANTER said they didn't have a replacement. So, the search begins, or, is there some way to re-form the existing to get it back in service. I will take some pics and post them for advice.

I also see that on the center of the door support post on the passenger side, there is a plastic part, worn & broken, that I have no idea about it's function. Is that a switch for the ceiling light, a pull strap mount, or ?

I am also missing the Seat Adjustment Pull Knob that supposedly control the front seat to slide it forward and back and somehow raises it a bit. Not sure it works or what needs to be replaced.

One hubcap "Packard Eight" is pretty dented, so, I'd like to replace it. I find one at KANTER for $85 & 12.95 Shipping, or 4 at $288 & $43 shipping. Anyone out there have one, or know where is best to get one. I read that the best are made by chrome plating the brass shell. Sounds right, so, may be worth paying more now than some stamped out cheaper versions. Again, appreciate your thoughts or where to find one.

Lastly for now, I love the look of the Front Grille Bumper Guard with 3 Horizontal Rods that tie the two front Vertical Bumper Guards together. Would love to find that option that works on the 39 bumper. I see more pics of them being on a Super 8 and especially in the 1940 and 1941 models. Anyone know where to find one?

And one more sweet detail would be a set of Fog Lights, that mount to the front bumper supports. I love the look of Trippe Lights, but, kinda pricey if you can even find them. There appear to be some aftermarket items out there in 5 and 6 inch versions. KANTER has a set with the Packard Crest on the top. Kinda look like Trippe's but a much better price at $208 for 6" Amber.

Oh, one more thing, Outside RearView Mirrors. I love the look of mounting on the top of the sidemount tires. Looks like you'd have to drill holes in the tire trim cover making it permanent. I've been told the functional view is very limited, poor range, and dangerous. Option two is aftermarket hot rod shop Peep Mirrors that attach to the door frame. I have a set of those previously purchased, and for now at least seem a starting point. What is the suggested placement along the door that works best? Any thought about Door Mounted versus Sidemount Tire mounted?

WOW, that's a lot of questions!!! Sorry to be so "Long Winded". It just seems like there is so much to know, to fix, to update.... It really is an addictive and totally cool distraction. I LOVE THIS! Thanks for all your help and commentary. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT!

I will try to post some pics today as well.

ALL MY BEST,

Randy Prestash
Oconomowoc, WI

THANK YOU ALL! I just had the chance to get back to the forum and am very pleased to hear from so many offering endorsements and support. GREAT SUGGESTIONS in getting started on the 120. I have begun with Step 1 by draining the old gas out. It smells like turpentine and is clear but a dark golden brown. It had about 10 gallons in the tank. No residue, rust or debris came out. The plug was easily removed.

I put in new "good ole fashioned gas" that has 91 octane with no ethanol. Nice to still have a few stations within 10 miles that keep the premium free of ethanol. Wonder if there is any benefit to use an additional gas additive,like Sea Foam, or the Lucas products, to further clean the gas line and carb?If so, would appreciate suggestions either way.

I have started to work on next draining the radiator. I have purchased two options for a radiator flush. Prestone and Gunk were available, each with a different set of directions. It seems the Prestone is a milder flush and the Gunk more caustic to the point of possibly stripping some of the protective layers on the radiator core. I like the idea of a more aggressive flush to get out rust and debris but certainly don't want to harm anything.

In the few times that the engine has run for 10-15 minutes, the dash gauges read normal for oil pressure and water temperature, but when lifting the bonnet it seems hotter than I would expect. The Oil Cap and supply tube are smoking a bit, noting the oil fill dipstick says "Full".
I wonder if the water pump is able to move fluids around the engine block or if this heating is normal. So hoping a flush will assist in lowering water temperature. Do I need to replace a Thermostat, and if so, where do I find one?

I did open the stopcock on the lower front of the radiator and anti-freeze did come out. Nice and green, no rust or any discolor. I suspect it was changed during restoration 5 years ago, but, want to be certain its updated now.

Hoses look "OK", no leaks, but a good idea to replace them all and not worry about some unforeseen problem. Should I use currently made products or does a 1939 need something special?

Next Step: Oil Change and Filter Replacement. I found some SAE 30, as recommended by the 1939 Shop Manual, made by Citgo/Mystic, on sale for $1.80/quart. A deal, I think, at our Farm & Fleet Store. Lots of farmers still use this oil grade for tractors so it should continue to be available. Other SAE 30 makes, like Valvoline and Castrol were $5.99/qt. Can't imagine they are that much better... ACE Hardware and Walmart had some off label stuff, no specs, so not sure of quality. Any thoughts on Citgo being OK?

For a new Oil Filter I called NAPA, who had nothing, and KANTER, who had a replacement Canister for a 1938, for $79 plus 15% shipping. Are there any other correct options, or
should I use the 1938 unit. My Shop Manual seems to suggest that the Flathead 8 282cu inch is the same in 1938 and 1939.

As far as on Air Filter, neither NAPA or KANTER had anything! Kanter told me to go to HEMMINGS and find other Packard Parts Dealers. Any suggestions on what should be used, or, could be used, to have some Air Filter Protection?

So, that's it for Engine Issues, now Trim & Accessories.

The pot metal passenger side front door handle fell off. The pot metal cracked with small pieces falling off. KANTER said they didn't have a replacement. So, the search begins, or, is there some way to re-form the existing to get it back in service. I will take some pics and post them for advice.

I also see that on the center of the door support post on the passenger side, there is a plastic part, worn & broken, that I have no idea about it's function. Is that a switch for the ceiling light, a pull strap mount, or ?

I am also missing the Seat Adjustment Pull Knob that supposedly control the front seat to slide it forward and back and somehow raises it a bit. Not sure it works or what needs to be replaced.

One hubcap "Packard Eight" is pretty dented, so, I'd like to replace it. I find one at KANTER for $85 & 12.95 Shipping, or 4 at $288 & $43 shipping. Anyone out there have one, or know where is best to get one. I read that the best are made by chrome plating the brass shell. Sounds right, so, may be worth paying more now than some stamped out cheaper versions. Again, appreciate your thoughts or where to find one.

Lastly for now, I love the look of the Front Grille Bumper Guard with 3 Horizontal Rods that tie the two front Vertical Bumper Guards together. Would love to find that option that works on the 39 bumper. I see more pics of them being on a Super 8 and especially in the 1940 and 1941 models. Anyone know where to find one?

And one more sweet detail would be a set of Fog Lights, that mount to the front bumper supports. I love the look of Trippe Lights, but, kinda pricey if you can even find them. There appear to be some aftermarket items out there in 5 and 6 inch versions. KANTER has a set with the Packard Crest on the top. Kinda look like Trippe's but a much better price at $208 for 6" Amber.

Oh, one more thing, Outside RearView Mirrors. I love the look of mounting on the top of the sidemount tires. Looks like you'd have to drill holes in the tire trim cover making it permanent. I've been told the functional view is very limited, poor range, and dangerous. Option two is aftermarket hot rod shop Peep Mirrors that attach to the door frame. I have a set of those previously purchased, and for now at least seem a starting point. What is the suggested placement along the door that works best? Any thought about Door Mounted versus Sidemount Tire mounted?

WOW, that's a lot of questions!!! Sorry to be so "Long Winded". It just seems like there is so much to know, to fix, to update.... It really is an addictive and totally cool distraction. I LOVE THIS! Thanks for all your help and commentary. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT!

I will try to post some pics today as well.

ALL MY BEST,

Randy Prestash
Oconomowoc, WI

I am so fortunate to now be in the Packard Family with the exhilerating purchase of my FIRST PACKARD from an Auction in Wisconsin last Thursday, July 25, 2013. The 1939 Packard 120 4 Door Sedan was in the private collection of Delbert DeYoung. This car was lovingly restored and used for his son, Jim's wedding.

The car was started, driven onto my car trailer, and brought home here in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. I have downloaded the 1939 Owners Manual, and the 1938-1939 Shop Manual,(for which I am already so grateful to the PackardInfo.com site!), and now plan to begin a careful analysis of "going over the car, system by system, before putting any time on the road.

Upon inspection and when starting up the car at the USAuctioneers site, it was obvious that "old gas" was still in the tank. Later discussion with a very helpful person who was familiar with the car stated that it was a very careful and thorough restoration about 15-18 years ago and that the car had not been driven much if at all over the last 5 years.

He stated that to start it last week, he had to "lightly sandpaper the points" and then add a few squirts of fresh gas into the access hole on the top of the air cleaner and it started up.

We had to do squirt new gas into that access 4 times before the car started and stayed idling. It did run VERY smoothly!
I was told that it had been "gone over" and I would be very
happy with the performance of the car.

I noticed that there was a new wiring harness installed. I found a basic electrical layout "schematic" in the papers that came with the purchase.

One the day I won the auction, in trying to start the car, we found that the new 6volt battery that installed earlier that week, was dead. We think that the Auctioneers in their being busy with setup forgot to turn off the "Master Switch" installed on the floor. We installed a brand new Farm & Fleet Heavy Duty Tractor 6v battery and the car was started.

We did notice that the rear tail lights stayed lit no matter what switches or knobs we tried to control. The person who knew the car thought that some contacts may be sticking to "ground out" those lights. He speculated on the brake pedal switch or running lights wiring.

The car did have an aftermarket turn signal blinker switch installed on the steering column support. It does engage the front torpedo lamps on the front fenders, and rear tail lights to blink normally. I think those torpedo lights were not originally intended for that purpose but seem to work well as indicators now.

So, I am hoping to find member enthusiasts who are familiar or own a 1938 or 1938 120 who may have already done this process of "clearing a new purchase" to make sure fluids,electrical,engine, transmission,and safety issues are considered before assuming all is well and then doing any damage that could have been avoided with prudence.

I am SO VERY PLEASED, AND EXCITED, to be "Junior Member" of this very elite and awesome line of fine motorcars. I suspect in time I will come across many opportunities to appreciate, afford, and hopefully acquire even finer Packard's. It all starts with your "FIRST LOVE" and goes from there.

Thank You in advance for any help you can send my way to help me get my 1939 Packard Beauty on the road. Please feel free to contact me via Forum, or via my cell phone if you wish to speak directly to me.

I am hoping to very quickly become acquainted with the closest Packard Chapter in Wisconsin and look forward to my
first Packard Meet. Again, Thanks for all the advice and assistance you can share with my "New Kid on the Block" Packard Owner!

All my best,

Dr. Randy J. Prestash