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

I'm prepping my 1940 160 Super Eight Club Sedan for some paint and body work by removing all bright work and trim. I'd like to remove the grille/louver assembly as a unit in the most efficient way possible. I did not plan to remove the front clip or fenders and am stumped about how best to remove the entire grille/louver assembly intact but leaving everything else in place. I can see how to free up the assembly but don't see how it can be removed without disassembling some sheet metal.

1) Does the top cowl piece (sheet metal holding the hood ornament)come off separately from the lower sheet metal surrounding the louver/grille? Seems like this would allow me to lift teh grille/louver assembly up and out.
2) Do I need to remove the fender attaching bolts at the front of the fenders to free up the sheet metal surrounding the louver/grill assembly? This would allow me to work on removing the grille/louver assembly while separated from the rest of the front clip.
3) I only see 6 bolts holding the sheet metal surrounding the louver/grill assembly- 2 top left, 2 top right and 2 top. Are there more or is the bottom portion held in place/supported in common with the front fender bolts requiring them to also be removed?

Any insights or guidance from those in the know or with previous experience doing this would be appreciated. I've seen some pictures in other posts but none with the detail or angle I need to figure out how to do the removal while keeping the front clip intact and attached to the body.

If its anything like the 37 ones, you have remove the inner fenders.

There are series of bolts the secure the radiator surround to the fenders. Also, the are a couple of bolts on each side that secure the shell to to radiator core support.

I also belive there are a couple on top.

On the 37, the headlight bases also have to be removed. And the base bolts go through the shell and fender and into the fender support yolk.

If there is a chrome strip between the fenders and the shell, then it probably has tabs that are bent around the back, those may need to be straightened.

There maybe a couple of bolts at the bottom splash shield.

With all those removed, you should be able to pull the shell up and out. The grille itself installs from the backside.

On my '40 110, I had to remove the entire front clip (which took a little over an hour) to remove the grille. There are lower pans restricting access from below; the radiator has to come out, etc. I don't think there's any way to do what you want to do without pulling the front end off.

Start here to see what you have to remove.
packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb ... ic_id=5878&order=ASC&status=&mode=0

Check out page 9 post #87, page 10 post 97, and page 11 post #102.

What Big Kev says about the ‘37 is true for the 1940 160. You have to remove the front shell. The grille is removed from the back side. Each louvre has to be removed. I let the plater do it, then got shoulder rivets from Bill Hirsch. It’s a beautiful grille. That’s what you have to keep telling yourself.

As I recall from my 1939 and three 1940s, you have to remove the clip. It was installed as an assembly at the factory so pretty much must be worked on the same way.

Quote:

No, the top piece does not come off separately and was spot-welded during manufacture.

Thanks to all for the inputs - all very helpful. Special thanks to Joe for a fantastic blog and the picture which showed just what I needed. Successfully removed the radiator surround. No need to remove the entire front clip and it was not spot welded in place (at least mine wasn't). Here are some pictures for future use to anyone who may tread down the same path.