Update: I made a new gasket which fixed the inlet glass filter bowl weep and took her out for a spin. She ran nice and smooth and accelerated well from any speed with no hesitation or spluttering, got up to 75 MPH on the motorway with the modern traffic just sailing along... So I'm gonna have a go at setting the idle mixtures next week and then leave this alone now as the stuck check ball doesn't seem to make much or if any difference. Maybe a thought for anyone else who encounters the same problem.

Cheers, Dave.

Hi Craig, Cheers for the reply. I thought about drilling the bottom out as its about the only option however as it had ran OK up until recently I decided to re-assemble it as it was. I checked the adjustments as per the manual, well best as I could figure them out anyway and all seemed OK so I reinstalled the carb and soon as the fuel got through she fired up and ran smoothly and sounds great. Revs freely with no splutter or hesitation and the choke came right off correctly on warming up...
Haven't had chance for a road test with some load as yet as I have a slight weep from the filter bowl gasket to rectify first. If all is OK then I'm going to leave well alone. As you say fuel must be getting in somehow probably from the long slot in the side of the accelerator pump section...
Im getting a vac gauge this week to set up the idle mixtures as per the procedure I think previously posted by Owen. Will let you know if it runs OK...

Thanks, Dave.

Due to poor running and that I had a rebuild kit on hand I have removed and disassembled my 55 400, 4GC carb. Found several issues with dirt but main problem appeared to be the accelerator pump seal to be partially disintegrated and both primary and secondary float heights set too low which I have now corrected. The carb is still disassembled as I now have another issue that the accelerator pump inlet check ball is stuck in it's seat, no amount of soaking in various solutions or trying to blow out with compressed air or tapping seems to help, as everything else came apart so easily I am now of the opinion this has been driven hard into the seat during a previous rebuild. This makes me wonder how it ever worked properly in the past...?
The carb is the correct model 7007230 though almost definitely has been replaced or rebuilt at some time due to general good condition and still fresh looking gold anodising.
I have read back through several posts where the same problem has been encountered, does anyone have any opinion as to if I definitely have to get this out as I am now tempted to reassemble as it is and see what happens...
Makes me wonder if one of the professional carb rebuilders is doing this for some unknown reason...?

Regards, Dave.

Thanks for that, I think I am now sorted, Gerry at Packards South West replied to me that he had one and is now sending it. Mike also replied just afterwards that he had one too.
Thanks to everyone for you're help... Hope to be back on the road soon...

Regards, PackarddaveUK.

Hi JD,

Still get 0 results... could you see what the description is.. Maybe it's a US only listing as the seller doesn't ship international...?

Thanks, Dave

Hi Riki,
Thanks but I'm getting 0 results with that number, on worldwide search..?

Dave.

Hi Riki,
Couldn't see it...?

Hi Guys, I was at a local classic car event last night in my 55 400 and lost steering while trying to manoeuvre out of a tight spot, inspection found the wheels pointing in different directions due to failure of the Rod assembly-steering connector which had actually snapped at the passenger side arm connector. This is item 15.000 on parts manual plate 31C, part no 458329.
Would anybody have a used item they would be wiling to sell me or point me in the direction where I may be able to obtain a replacement.? I am in England which makes it even more difficult for me.
Regards & Thanks, Packard Dave UK.

Whe I first imported my 55 400 back in 2003 I had very similar starting problems, the motor would initially fire then cut out and then spin over for ages before it would reluctantly start and once running it was better to leave it running as after stopping it would be the same story hot or cold. My tuning guy took a look and after hooking it up to his machine found the timing so far retarded it was actually firing after TDC... Once the timing was set correctly she would fire right up and still does once the gas eventually gets through after periods of inactivity.
Maybe something simple and worth looking at with just an inexpensive timing light...

Hi Andy, Welcome and nice to see another UK Packard owner, these cars are super rare in UK especially the 55/56 models. This site is brilliant and has proved invaluable to me being a novice Packard owner a few years back. Almost anything you need to know can be found here, these cars do have some common problems and peculiarities depending on how yours is optioned. I've found there is always somebody here willing to help and offer advice with any problem I have encountered.
Good luck, Dave.