Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Finally got the old girl running again after a long two year wiring installation. Issue #1 is the carb. I suspect the gas gummed up things a bit, as the car will start instantly at times, and another I have to pull the air cleaner and stick a screwdriver in the carb to open up the choke and pray. Both of these scenarios can happen with a cold engine. I think the appropriate action is to yank the carb and install a new carb kit. Any suggestions as to pros and cons of getting one from Napa vs one of the old car vendors?

Issue #2. I drained the oil and put in some Shell Rotella 10w-30w as this is what I use in my 51. Except for the senior moment when I forgot that the 39 hasn't been rebuilt and the 51 has. I just started the car and drove it back into the garage. I think the appropriate action is to drain the oil, and drop the pan for cleaning.
Suggestions? Also, should I go back to a non detergent oil after cleaning the pan?

My general advice is that if you don't know the last time the oil pan was dropped and cleaned, then it's time to do it now before the next oil change. And while it's off, clean the valve tappet area and the crankcase breather and oil fill cap and the oil pump intake screen. After that there is no reason not to take advantage of modern detergent oils.

I'll do that! We are expecting some sub zero temps this week. It would be a good time to work in the heated garage.

I bought a carb kit from Terrill Machine. Turns out that the carb is Carter rather than a Stromberg. I'll be putting it later when it warms up a bit. Supposed to be a low of -20 tonight.

It ain't -20 but this morning I had 2 polarbears knocking on the door asking for firewood...

I heard that dallas had a 60 degree temperature swing in 12 hrs yesterday!

On Wednesday late afternoon until early evening we were sitting in the open garage enjoying all the neighbors on their walks and jogs plus watching a neighbor string holiday lights on her shrubs and trees. It was 70F then. Yesterday we were almost 30 degrees colder. Not as bad as the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, but cold enough for a light layer of frost on everything this morning. Brrrrr...

(o{}o)

Got my buddy the Hudson wizard over today, and he put the Daytona carb kit I got from Terrill Machine in the Carter WDO carb on the 39 120. It is amazing - one quick stab at the throttle and the car starts immediately. No crank/crank/crank and pray! It responds quickly and idles smoothly. The Daytona carb kit is interesting in that it uses a ceramic disc rather than a needle, so it is supposedly smoother over all engine speeds. I'll find out once the snow melts....