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

Hello from South Africa, I am still busy with my '38 120, particularly sorting out the poor running of the engine. I use a Stromberg EE14 carburettor which I have finally got to work as it was designed, cold starting choke as well.
However I now find that there is a threaded hole in the inlet manifold just below where the inlet pipes join the main body. This obviously drains excess fuel from the manifold so preventing it running into the engine. Am I correct? I imagine that, as there is at present not a small diameter pipe connected to this hole, the excess air sucked in could account for the poor running of the engine. Has anyone got thoughts on this?
Kind Regards, Dennis.

Yes, there should be a small tube hanging down to about the level of the oil pan rail. On the end of that tube is sweated a small ball check valve that lets fuel drain out when the engine is not running and seals in the presense of vacuum. You could make one or find one, but all the later engines got along quite well without one, so you could just plug the hole. A vacuum leak that size will make for very poor running.

Hello,

I too have a '38 Eight (120) with an all original engine. Yes that hole you mention is for that small pipe. The description written is spot on. Mine rarely drips fuel from the check valve end. Usually during start ups with short run times. I still keep an eye on it by leaving a little kitty litter or sand under that specific area to absorb the one drip... Love my '38 Eight.... PS. Hope you are in the registry.

David

David(FPT),

Here it is.

Dennis

I have a 41 Packard 120 and it does not have any line running from carb to intake. I think Packard decided it was not necessary. Plug your intake manifold Hole and your Engine should run ok. You have a massive vacuum leak that must be plugged. The line running from carb to manifold could be plugged.

Hello All, Thanks for the information, sorry for the delay in registering my thanks, but other things[unfortunately] required my attention. I have fitted the required pipe and the engine now runs much better. The check valve that is mentioned is most interesting, I will make one. This drain pipe is of obvious importance otherwise the fuel drips on to the exhaust pipe, which could lead to a fire. I also have a Lancia which has a similar drain from its inlet manifold but with out a drain pipe, so when I rebuild its engine I will keep this item in mind, but here the inlet and exhaust manifolds are on opposite sides of the engine.
Regards Dennis.