Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Has anyone had problems with accelerator pump in carb being affected by today's gasoline?

G'day larrpack,
to PackardInfo and sorry can't help with your query. But as your query is for a '55 400, could you please include it in the Owner Registry here, together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it?

If your carburetor has had an older rebuild or had been sitting for a long time then the accelerator pump cup and even the needle (assuming it's rubber tipped) could very well be prone the swill that passes as gasoline nowadaze.

Can I assume that you're experiencing pump shot issues? Long dormant pumps in carbs that have gone bone dry can "weld" themselves to the bore and tear the moment they're activated thus rendering them inop.

If you deem a rebuild necessary I'd strongly urge you to determine the freshness of the rebuild kit you obtain. Doesn't matter if it's brand new in a sealed package, it it's old and dried out then it's old and dried out! Then there's the issue of the compatibility of the older rubber compounds with today's gas. I'd say don't buy a kit that's over 5 years old if you can, perhaps 10 at the outside.

In case you weren't already aware, the Packard 4bbls were Rochester 4GC and not AFB's etc.

I had a guy rebuild it (a pro) the car ran good for a few months. I didn't start the car for about 3 days and now notice no spray from jets. The guys says the pump gets effected by today's "clean" gas. so, I don't know.

I'd ask the guy what I warned you about...how fresh was the rebuild kit?!?! If he knew of the problem , and if he used OLD stock then he did you a disservice and you should be entitled to a warranty repair (in my humbly bombastic opinion)<br /><br />Ypsilanti? Take it to Willow Run and have them fix it. Tell em that Henry J sent you LOL

<p>Predictor wrote:</p>
Quote:
<p>55-56 Clippers had Carter WCFBs usually. I've seen WCFBs on Seniors too and vice versa. I'm not taking issue with what you said, just expanding on the point.</p>
<p>Craig</p>

mine worked fine when i bought it, and did for awhile, but i eventually started noticing it was geting lean on accelerating. finally, one day it just stopped spraying. later that day, while i was limping homw with no accel pump, the rest of it clogged up too.

Quote:

The point is atop me noggin, but as Phil Donahue was wont to say: "Irregardless" I said Packard, not Clipper. Besides, everyone knows that the Postwar Clippers aren't actually Packards LOL At least that's what Uncle Jimmy told us.

If I deem a rebuild necessary? Are there other options, i.e new carb and by what make? Are there new carbs compatible with this engine (352 V8) ?

You can use a 500 cfm Edelbrock on a Packard and have no issues. I used one on my 320 and it worked great.