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58L8134

Reproduction Coolant Distribution Tubes?

Home away from home

Hi

Reading various '48-'54 restoration blogs, most at some point in the engine work process tackle the water distribution tube removal and cleaning. Given the condition in which the originals are usually found, what do you gentlemen think of the idea of reproducing them in either the same grade steel as the original or a mild grade stainless steel?

Steve

Posted on: 2015/2/8 8:57

.....epigram time.....
Proud 1953 Clipper Deluxe owner. Thinking about my next Packard, want a Clipper Deluxe Eight, manual shift with overdrive.

Owen_Dyneto

Re: Reproduction Coolant Distribution Tubes?

Forum Ambassador

Stainless might be a nice choice but all of the originals I've seen were made of brass and generally last forever. Rather than just duplicate something that's already available as a repro I'd suggest first finding out if there are any Packard engines for which a repro is not currently available and starting there.

Posted on: 2015/2/8 9:29

flackmaster

Re: Reproduction Coolant Distribution Tubes?

Forum Ambassador

Agreed. Original Brass or Stainless if you can work with it. the 120 tubes are sporadically reproduced, seems everyone needs one when the vendors are out, then the demand dries up when the vendors restock...

Posted on: 2015/2/8 10:23

PackardV8

Re: Reproduction Coolant Distribution Tubes?

Home away from home

SS mite b ok for this particular automotive application. HOWEVER, SS is difficult machine and form. The BRass would be the better than plain steel choice for mfg'ing purposes and longevity. Don't use copper. Copper is very soft and does not hold up well to vibration unless well supported.

What are the dimensions of the distriiibution tube???? Mite get with a brass bed maker buy his scrap.

Posted on: 2015/2/8 15:28

VAPOR LOCK demystified: See paragraph SEVEN of PMCC documentaion as listed in post #11 of the following thread:f
packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=7245

PackardV8

Re: Reproduction Coolant Distribution Tubes?

Home away from home

Well now wait a minute. I'm a little confused.
From post 1 above:
" either the same
grade steel as the original ...."

and from post 2 above:
"....but all of
the originals I've seen were made of brass..."

I'm not familar with the Packard 8's. So are OEM tubes brass or steel??? How did the steel tubes come into this topic???

Posted on: 2015/2/8 15:36

VAPOR LOCK demystified: See paragraph SEVEN of PMCC documentaion as listed in post #11 of the following thread:f
packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=7245

Owen_Dyneto

Re: Reproduction Coolant Distribution Tubes?

Forum Ambassador

Go back and read post 1 and you'll find the answer as to where steel entered the discussion. I believe all OEM Packard tubes were brass. Some Dorman NORS were steel, as were Chrysler products.

Posted on: 2015/2/8 16:01

58L8134

Re: Reproduction Coolant Distribution Tubes?

Home away from home

Hi

Guilty! I hadn't picked up on what material the originals are made from and I now learn it wasn't steel! By their condition, its hard to tell though I should have known Packard would have used a better quality material suited to the purpose.

Perhaps repro brass ones for all engines having that part would be a worthwhile club project.

Steve

Posted on: 2015/2/9 8:23

.....epigram time.....
Proud 1953 Clipper Deluxe owner. Thinking about my next Packard, want a Clipper Deluxe Eight, manual shift with overdrive.

PackardV8

Re: Reproduction Coolant Distribution Tubes?

Home away from home

Just for kix maybe explore some kind of plastic tube. For decades SBC used nylon cam gear. Only good for about 60K miles. But a distribution tube is not subject to torque or load and i assume is on the cooled side of the coolant ergo no hotter than a timing gear. Plastics have come a long way over the years. Maybe not a good idea, but something to explore.

Posted on: 2015/2/9 9:15

VAPOR LOCK demystified: See paragraph SEVEN of PMCC documentaion as listed in post #11 of the following thread:f
packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=7245