The old swamper parts store in town had a set of flex brake lines in stock. They were a cross reference to a later model studebaker, a truck iirc. they were a bit longer than stock, but that seemed to be a good thing as it allowed far more slack for the long travelling torsion level suspension. the stock ones were nearly tight when the suspension would tilt rearward.

ill see if i still have the recipt which said what model steadybreaker they were for.

I too wish Diesels were more availible here in the states. I own two myself, both first generation Dodge Ram 350s equipped with the 5.9 litre Cummins. Both get between 16-19 mpg depending on load and how hard im driving. Both are heavier than stock, one is a 2wd dually with tool boxes and ladder racks, the other is a 4x4 with a service body, and both are automatics. Diesel is the way to go!

A kid i know is installing a 6.2 gm diesel in a 67 New Yorker, and his project keeps inspiring me to convert my Patrician parts car to Cummins diesel power.

back on track, my speedo cable is broken, so no odometer, but i cant figure im geting better than 10mpg.

have you checked the transmission fluid? maybe it has leaked out over 5 years time in the mud? or it could be full of water?

so would there be any evidence as to weather or not it was originally padded? IE clips or attachment points?

like on my 56 perhaps? I have no idea how many cars Packard produced in a given block of time, but if the numbers are right, mine is something like 337th from the end of the line. maybe they just ran out of material and painted it?

not trying to fight here, but i have run my late 56 374 with the valve covers off, and it gets plenty of oil to the top end. it doest gush all over the floor while sitting there at+/- 500 rpm, but it would certainly make a titanic mess at road speed.

my 56 Pat shows no evidence of having been padded. the paint, tho not in the best shape, is a dead on match to everything else. Its pouring outside, but if memory serves, my 55 pat parts car is not padded either. the other 55 is padded.

mack trucks held out with 6 volt systems untill the 60s as well.

thats funny stuff!

that would be nice...