Changing to a higher octane fuel is unlikely to reduce vapor lock. The boiling point of the fuel is unrelated to the octane rating. BP had an article on this topic some years ago, it was clear on that point.

Peter that brass plate was stamped 334, the body number for a 633 7-passenger sedan, it was one of the few original parts of the body that had survived still attached.

Peter, my 633 Sedan had a brass body plate screwed to the floor just inside the LHS rear door, you can just see it in the attached photo.

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Its all here on this site in the "Literature Archive"
https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/1928_6_526-533_Manual.pdf

It was medical ether, I had been told that it was what was originally used in the Sylphon units. Whatever is used today needs to go from liquid to gas, it's that change of state from liquid to gas that expands the bellows.

You need only a small amount of methyl alcohol, I used ether and added only 1-2 teaspoons in a 1929 Sylphon. It vaporizes to expand the bellows. Too much might burst the bellows.

I fitted the battery isolator on the back of the battery box on the 633 Roadster. It was very convenient and reasonably concealed by the sidemounts.
It encroached on the space in the box which was not an issue with an Optima battery

KM Lifestyle have KD gauge parts:https://mykmlifestyle.com/

Are you sure it's bent, all of the curved woodwork in my 1920's Packards is cut to shape not bent, except for the top bows in the open cars?

It's many years since I assembled the gear lever on my 6th Series but from memory, there is a tab washer that fits around the gear lever ball and engages the slot in the ball. The large cover nut is screwed on to hold it all together. A poor description I know, others should have better information,