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

Pat, Three thousand kilos equates to 6600lbs. so these ramps are more than adequate with a wide margin of safety especially since only one half the car is being elevated at one time. I still would not just use the ramps as mentioned if climbing under the car.
As for using the emergency brake it depends on what I am going to be doing but when possible and where circumstances permit I either use the brake or chock the wheels even with an automatic transmission car whether I use a jack or ramps.

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I would think that pre-'51 models would be better than that since the engine sits back further. The '51-'54 models have that big straight eight sitting pretty much centered over the front crossmember, making the 55:45 or even 60:40.

I was specifically thinking of the beam-axle models, but as I said it's just a guess.

In any event the ramps are adequate since this Packard front end doesn't weigh anywhere near 6600lbs. (I would hope).

It would be interesting to take a Senior car from the '30s, '40s, and early '50s and see just what they're weight distribution is. Now you've got me curious!

The weight of just about any front engine RWD car should be close enuf to 50/50 WITHOUT engine.

So if u know the weight of the car and the engine then good approximation can be calculated.

OR, maybe place a jack near center on EACH side of car and trial and error the method. Probably not a good idea for HT or convertible depending on the car.

I have CG for 56 hood withOUT bird.

Pat, one problem you are going to have with ramps is what if you need to do something under the car while one or more wheels removed? Ramps will not allow that.

4 high quality (4-leg) jack-stands with a high load rating should be very safe and provide the flexibility for any type of under car repair. Just buy four, 6-ton rated jack-stands and that should be able to hold any Packard. 6 tons per pair (12,000lbs/5443kgs) or 12 tons for 4 jacks stands (24,000lbs/10886kg) @ 1 kg = 2.20462 lb

Also a good quality 3-ton hydraulic floor jack with a high lifting saddle is good to have also.

Interesting that you won't get lift. I went with a Rotary 4 post lift because I don't trust jack stands or ramps. Can only get the car up about 3 feet because of the ceiling, but that's plenty to get under the car.