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Friday 31st August 2012

Returning home after donating blood plasma this morning made a pitstop at the workshop. After feeding Misty a bone found Wade working on the '33's distributor in which he described the points as "fritzed", they are also unobtainium. Thought he had a used plate and points on the shelf but couldn't locate them so now contemplating buying, from a Vendor, a replacement kit which uses modern points sets.

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Mal, those points are probably "unobtainium" down under, they are hard to come by here though I have managed over the years to get an ample supply for myself.

The little kit that's around using modern Chrysler points is based on a design I did many years ago and offered up for others - glad to see it caught on. Oft times with the 33/34 NorthEast system and using the dual point conversion kit you can't get the ignition properly timed because one of the distributor cap clamps jams against one of the twin coils before you get enough distributor rotation to get it in time. If this occurs to Wade, the solution is relatively simply - the breaker plate is held in place by 2 machine screws and if you slot the holes in the breaker plate, you can then offset the breaker plate enough to achieve proper timing. I'd be curious to know if this will be the case with Wade's conversion, it was the case with a 33 Super 8 I worked on earlier this spring.

Monday 3rd September 2012

Following from my drop in on Friday, Wade has ordered the plate kit with modern points from Max as well as some seals for Noel's steering Box. But....in the meantime put a lot of work into getting what he still had working by much filing of the points and tweaking of the original plate. Advised the rest of the distributor is good with the bushes not requiring replacement. So the job this morning was to get the '33 running. Hooked up the temporary fuel source and this time primed the fuel pump using compressed air and a rag to fill the gaps around the fuel can's mouth. That worked, but provided a problem straight away with fuel leaking from the sediment bowl! Nevertheless pushed on with trying to start the '33, a shot or three of start-u-ba$tard down the carb throat so the motor would at least kick and started cranking. Motor did want to start with little kicks from the start-u-ba$tard but no continuous running. OK, are we getting fuel? Answer was no! This after disconnecting the fuel line at the carburettor inlet and cranking again, nothing. Then disconnecting the fuel line at the fuel pump outlet, almost nothing. Checked the fuel line between the pump and carb was clear with a blow through, it was. So it was obvious, the pump wasn't pumping!

Then, like Marie Antionette, it was off with the pump! Pump off, disassembled the upper(fuel) section checked the valves were in the right way, they were, everything else looked OK and reassembled it. Also disassembled the lower(vacuum) section from the main pump body. Then to the leaking sediment bowl. Inspection revealed there was a slight dent in the channel of the housing where the bowl seats on the gasket. Not much, just enough to cause a leak, Wade said when initially disassembling the pump, besides the gasket, there was also plenty of sealing gunk. Now we know why. Then a couple of light taps using a small drift and hammer and, voila, fixed! A bench test revealed the fuel pump was sucking and blowing as expected so, instead of reassembling the vacuum section, bolted the partly assembled pump back on the '33. Cranking test, after priming, revealed plenty of fuel now being pushed through the pump. Next cranking test, after reconnecting the fuel line to the fuel pump outlet revealed plenty of fuel now reaching the carb. Final cranking test, after fuel line reconnected to the carb, and Boris, there was life after about 6 years of lying dormant! But was idling very fast, running roughly and has a fuel leak at the carb. Then, after a timing light test, was found to be running on only 4 cylinders, the points for #1 to #4 aren't working. The idle was cut back to something more acceptable but will require more work and Wade thinks the float level needs adjusting maybe because the needle valve supplied with the carb kit is unlike any he's seen for a 33/34? Pulled the pump off again reassembled the vacuum section and reinstalled the now complete pump again priming the pump using compressed air to push fuel through, no leak now at sediment bowl.

The '33 is now at least mobile under it's own power, albeit dependent on a mudguard(fender) mounted fuel source and dodgy points! Before moving onto something else Wade gave the '33 a moving test, well it ran under it's own power about 20' back and then forward again. Will be moved back out to under the carpark ramp on Wednesday, under it's own power, because the Subaru on the hoist it's in front of now should be ready to go then. And a little fix to the front door windows. Antoine had said to Wade the push out front door windows had been put on the wrong sides. Wade didn't agree, instead finding the pull knobs had been installed on the outside of the glass instead of the insides! Easy to open but very difficult to close. Unfastened and removed the knobs and reinstalled them on the insides where they are supposed to be!

Next it was off to see JohnM and, hopefully, the final installment in the long running headlight bulb saga. Today brought a successful conclusion to this following our previous visits on 16th, 23rd and 27th August! First Wade checked the generator wasn't overcharging, it wasn't! But the two bulbs blowing simultaneously had raised questions, seems like it might just be one of those million to one shots. Installed left bulb and tested, it works! Installed right bulb, they both work! Bezels and lenses back on, right on right side and left on left side where they should be. Finally John, at the ripe old age of 87, will be able to resume nocturnal travels in his Packard if he so desires.

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Wednesday 5th September 2012

First up at the workshop was assisting Wade with pressing in the right upper front suspension bush into the wheel support assembly. Wade had removed the wheel support assembly on Monday, after I'd departed, with the come-a-long technique successfully used on the left front suspension a while back. Had pressed out the old chewed up simple rubber bushes and was replacing those with metal cased bushes. Bush pressed in, turned to reassembling the right front suspension on Big Red. During the course of this we were joined by John, aka Wheels, and his wife Eve. They were in Sydney to attend a funeral and had dropped in for some Packard catch up. At least I now know I have one critical reader of this Blog, don't I John? I was berated for including toooo many Morris Minor mentions and pictures in a Packard Blog. As well, John bemoaned the fact it wasn't Tuesday which is lunch day at the workshop. Sorry John, can't do anything about the deceased being buried on a Wednesday all I can say it was rather inconsiderate, wasn't it? Regarding the Morris Minors, I don't have any particular affection for them but because in the last few years the runs we've attended with the Morris Minor Picnic Club have come into closer contact with them than previously, that must have influenced me to some extent. And there's this little insight into John's, shall we say, contempt for Morris Minors. When out on a mixed club run the Morris Minors tend to convoy together and John takes great delight in rounding them up in his Packard when flying past while overtaking. John, I will heed your counsel though and try and limit the number of MM pictures from now on!

With the departure of Wheels and Eve, after a coffee and hot chocolate respectively so they weren't turned back onto the street without some sort of Workshop sustenance, completed the right front suspension reassembly. Then turned to the left front to do the same repair. Connected up the come-a-long and compressed the spring, it's relatively easy once the technique is known. Removed the brake drum and backing plate and the upper suspension bolt. Then drove out the support arm lock pin holding in the support arm pin then drove out the support arm pin. Onto the press and pushed out the old bush then pressed in the new one. Back to Big Red and reassembled the wheel support assembly into Big Red. During the course of this we were joined by Big Bad Barry and his wife Pam. They were there to pickup the radio that Wade had rebuilt for Pam's '62 Ford Falcon.

Left things at that point because tomorrow Wade is off to Tamworth with the new pistons for Big Red, some other items as well as the frame/stand to mount the engine on for transportation back to Sydney when it's fit for travel. Likewise I too am heading off, but in a different direction. Together with my wife Kath, we're driving to Adelaide, to visit our eldest son and his wife for the weekend.

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Wednesday 12th September 2012

Arrived back from Adelaide last night to two Packard related items. 1) An email from Noel, saying in part "...the parts arrived...yesterday afternoon. 17 days transit time. Fuel pump is gorgeous. The metal lower radiator hose connection is NOS but with a bit of surface rust so will probably need painting inside and out...." And, 2) A package from US eBay containing parts for Wade. Those things together conspired to send me to the workshop today, well, that's my excuse!

But while in Adelaide had the good fortune, by chance, to meet another Packard owner. With my son and his wife, we visited the National Motor Museum at Birdwood. Speaking to the lady at the front desk about the museums Packards I learnt she and her husband have a pair of Packards, a '26 433 and a '28 533, ex wedding cars. She even offered us the opportunity to see them on our return trip from the museum but the logistics of that didn't work out. Instead she's going to forward me some pic's in the near future which I'll post here. For my part I introduced myself as Secretary of PACA and invited the lady and her husband to rejoin the club after learning they were former members and had let their membership lapse.

Back to the workshop. Saw a row of three 320 blocks on my arrival, the fruits of Wade's trip to Tamworth over the weekend, these blocks aren't required for the rebuild. Wade had taken up the head, manifolds, new pistons and other parts for the rebuilder but not piston rings. Of course these arrived the day he returned from Tamworth so they were mailed up yesterday. Next Tamworth trip should see the return of a rebuilt 320 block and crankcase assembly ready for re-installation into Big Red.

Back to Noel's parts, as he said "Fuel pump is gorgeous" but needs the inlet and outlet fittings so Noel has been dispatched to relieve the pump returned to Les of those accoutrements. And besides his email comment regarding the lower radiator hose connection of "will probably need painting inside and out" has already worded Wade up for me to splash the paint around. Thanks Noel! Then in addition to Wade receiving the rings for the 320, among other parts were the seals for Noel's steering box and a new water jacket cover for Big Red. The old girl won't know herself with all this attention she's getting. And the parcel I brought down? A pair of Trippe Light brackets for The Fossil.

While in Tamworth Wade also accepted a commission from Barry Smith, on my behalf, to pick up the fittings that hold the "bottle opener" trim pieces to Packard rear mudguards(fenders) from Restoration Specialities while I'm at Hershey. Thanks Wade and Barry! However to aid me in my quest Barry has provided 1) A 2011 Hershey Program(all 124 pages of it), 2) Photocopies of the cover and relevant page from the Restoration Specialities Catalogue and, 3) And entrusted me with a lovely "bottle opener", so I can trial fit the fastener required! Am I well prepared or what? While I think of it I'll also be visiting the Ficken Wiper Service stand at Hershey with The Fossil's wiper motors in hand to 'drop them off for a rebuild'. And no, a next day turn around service is not expected. Would be nice but the realities of rebuilding do intrude into a wonderful pipedream. The poor little wiper motors will follow me back home to Oz and The Fossil by airmail at a later date.

Finally Noel I won't be able to do the decals this week, not enough time today and I won't be back in till next week. But, be assured, besides the painting I'll make time for the decals.

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Friday 14th September 2012

After donating blood plasma dropped into the workshop to pick up the keys for my Coupe. I'd left the keys with Wade last week before I went to Adelaide in case he decided to go on the Morris Minor Picnic Club run, he didn't. Thought, seeing I intended to take the Coupe to the Burwood Festival Show & Shine on Sunday, that the keys would come in handy.

While there learnt:

1) The dual point distributor plate kit with modern points from Max had arrived and been fitted to the '33. Running on all eight now but Wade wants to get the car into the workshop so he can synchronize them.

2) Noel had dropped in a fuel pump with fittings but not all of them are the right fittings! The 356 fuel pump saga just goes on and on and on and on.

3) I've been given another task by Wade while I'm at Hershey. Locate and purchase a pair of Trippe Light bracket bolts. The brackets I pictured in my previous post will fit The Fossil but need longer bolts!

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Monday 17th September 2012

After suffering at the hands of my Packard yesterday it was a relief to take refuge in the workshop today. Maybe I should rephrase that, as I'm being grossly unfair to the Coupe. Instead, I'll say that in a contest between my head and a boot(trunk) lid corner my head lost! At the Burwood Spring Festival yesterday instead of carefully extracting the folding furniture from the boot(trunk) I dived in with disastrous consequences, see this album! Luckily, besides bleeding extensively, no major damage was done to either head or Packard and fortunately St John Ambulance were on hand to patch me up.

Safe today in the confines of the workshop turned instead to something that usually doesn't cause me much pain, painting! After a session in the blasting cabinet painted Noel's lower radiator tube as well as the steering box parts. And Noel, I'm sad to report that, like the Henry Ford saying of "Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black" your lower radiator tube is now black! The '33 was also started up but still needs to have the points synchronized. There are also issues with the carb and all these will be addressed once it's in the workshop. Speaking of which, Wade has mounted the one year only fuel pump on the 356 so it's ready to fire up! Also saw the wiring harness for Noel's Coupe, doesn't look pretty. With most of the connectors cut off doesn't have much going for it. Cleaned up the fuel and vacuum line fittings, after Wade had cut them off the old lines, in preparation for the new fuel line and vacuum lines required for Noel's chassis. Once the chassis is running it'll be off to Quikfit Mufflers at Gladesville for Tony to tweak the exhaust system. Then it'll probably be placed in storage in my garage at least until Noel returns from HIS Hershey trip. Wade rang Hills Radiator Service about Big Reds radiator and it's ready to be picked up. Also called Restrip about the'33's fuel tank. The boss there was pretty sure it was ready but, without his right hand man who was off sick, couldn't find it! The boss is going to call Wade back once he does locate it. And seeing Hills Radiator and Redistrip are in close proximity it makes good sense to pick them up in one trip rather than two.

Also had a call from Chris, Starliner, who was at the the Burwood Spring Festival yesterday. He's taking me up on my offer to see if I can find some Packard parts for him while I'm at Hershey next month, in this case hubcaps for his '48 Woodie. Chris is going to call into the workshop on Wednesday with a sample, measurements and pic's so I know what I'm looking for, it helps! Believe they are the dog dish type and not the full wheel covers.

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Tuesday 18th September 2012

Not Wade's Workshop today but Mal's Garage! In preparation for the arrival of Noel's '41 160 Club Coupe chassis had to clear the build up of "stuff" so it'll fit! The garage itself is a tandem but has another large room out back which could be used as a triple if the dividing wall were knocked out.

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Finally!! A garage that looks like mine.

Don't know what I'd do in one of those organized pristine garages with clean workbenches where you could actually see and find something you laid down the first time you went back and looked for it. Now I won't feel so bad and worry about getting it cleaned it up before you come visiting next month.

Howard,

Hey, who are you calling "Pristine"? Watch it fella!

Seriously, I was fortunate when I bought the house. The garage is only a 20'x20' suburban type, but it does not have any appliances or equipment in it. I have full use of the space.

The house came with a large storage shed in the backyard. This is where all the yard tools and 'overflow' go. Periodically, I need to go into the shed and do what Mal did to his garage. I do this when I can no longer get past the door. We all have to have our "McGee's Closet", mine is the shed.

Others may want to share photos of their garages too. Could be an interesting thread. Let's see'um.

Take care,

(o[]o)

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