I believe that you still have better rear and side visibility than the current crop of crap available from the Dealers. PeterT

Hello all, "ask the experts" True or false? The early 6th Series Standard Eight appears to have had the same size engine bay as the 5th Series Six and used an engine side mounted water pump. I have at least two of the side mounted water pumps amongst the three 6th Series motors that I have. Comments please. Peter Toet

Hello all, In my opinion, if the gearchange linkage is moving the physical position of the Reverse gear into mesh, which I believe that it is doing, then basically the only reason for no reverse drive is that the Overdrive lockout cable has not pulled the lockout sleeve over the sun and planetary gearset in the overdrive unit. Moving the gearshift lever into reverse starts to engage the lockout sleeve but with a bit of wear, it doesn't quite start to engage the sleeve. I would check under the vehicle ( without the engine running and with a hoist or suitable ramps..of course), to see if the lockout lever on the RH side of the OD section is moving fully forward as sometimes the cable clamp may have slipped and the cable is not operating correctly. Good Luck. Peter T

Hello all, I may be barking up the wrong tree here but it was a common thing for the 5th, 6th Series and other early Packards to lock the Bendix. This would give a slight "clunk" then nothing. The bendix effectively jams in the ring gear. Mine does it a few times a year. Simple fix. You undo the single top holding bolt and retract the starter a few inches ( with wires attached) and the bendix retracts. Reinsert the starter snub...do up the single bolt and off you go. It is a PITA when it occurs but that is the joy of owning a 90 year old Automobile/ whatever. I always carry the spanner with me. I also carry a 12 volt jumper pack for really hot vapour lock days and boy does that 6V starter love the extra juice.
Stay Safe from Down Under. Peter Toet

Met Randy at Hershey in 2012. A true Packard nut and all round good guy. No one else is allowed to die in 2020...is that agreed? Peter Toet.

Hello all, I realise that I shall receive some flak for this but I have had the odd annoying sagging door handle on my cars. Generally caused by a combination of wear in the actuating square handle end and socket. Nowadays, I use a small gas axe, judiciously heat and twist the operating shaft of the handle to eliminate the "droop". Caution is required of course to ensure that the chrome, etc is not heat discoloured. I use a wet rag on the chrome handle. I usually only rotate the square about 5 degrees and Viola!..the droop is gone. Peter Toet.

It was the Emelia Earhart 35 Super Eight Coupe ( Ross and Robyn Marshall). Peter T

This may also be a head gasket issue. New style non asbestos gaskets blow between cylinders and cause backfiring. My 533 had this issue until I put in an original McCord gasket (2nd hand which I removed in 1976). The Flackmaster (Mr unobtainium) found an original NOS gasket and delivered it in New Zealand last year. I have not had to use this gasket yet. A compression test will show up such a problem. If you need to drive the veh with such a problem, simply disconnect one of the spark plug leads on the perforated cylinders and the car will run fine on 4.5 cylinders to get you home. Peter Toet

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Ay Yai Yai, I loved this car ( totally not understanding why Barry got rid of it) and had no idea it was available. Looks like I shall have to do something with the 54 Caribbean resto which has been haunting the back shed for too many years. I have three to finish off. A 37 Super Dickey seat coupe which is about 85% done, a 38 Super 7 pass Convertible which has a very interesting WW 11 history, and a very original dismantled 54 Caribbean ( Green/white). I currently have 9 Packards on the road amongst a lot of other crazy stuff. These would be good to get on the road. When I cross "the Bar" the Worldwide price of steel will drop when they recycle all of the crap that I have accumulated. Stay well everyone....Peter Toet

In my opinion it would be very difficult to detect if it has been used in a system. it is reddish in the bottle but completely clear in the radiator. I have almost purchased but declined on purchase of vehicles with a reddish scum in the overflow bottle ( 6.9 Benz and XJ 12 jag), indicating a popular head sealant. I would rather have the V16 Caddy than most P11's but they are a well put together MotorCar.

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