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Thursday 24th July 2014

Gina forwarded some photos she took yesterday.

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Tuesday 29th July 2014

Wade was down at the workshop today not primarily for Packard pursuits but to repair the air conditioning in Gina's Toyota Celica. Had previously bought a new condensor, the old one was leaking refrigerant gas, and was now taking the opportunity to replace the condensor and re-gas the system. By the time I arrived Wade had already reached the stage that he's replaced the condensor and was now waiting for the mobile air-con guy to arrive to re-gas the system. In the meantime another guy arrived and replaced the two rear hatch lift struts of the Celica.

But Celica's weren't what I was there for, rather it was the usual, cleaning a Packard part. To wit, the top for the trans Wade has rebuilt for the Coupe. After all, I cleaned everything else for the trans, why shouldn't I clean this too? Easy enough, it wasn't real dirty and a short session in the parts cleaner followed by a brake cleaner washdown and a session of the wire wheel for the gasket and exterior surfaces saw it looking much better than before.

Was also meeting Noel at the workshop because he was bringing over a waterpump for me to use in place of my leaking pump. But Noel didn't bring one pump, he brought two! One was a rebuilt unit from eBay. The other was a NOS pump from our trip to Hershey in 2012. The Hershey pump has a story to tell, one which started at the end of a loooong Hershey day while waiting at the truck for people to arrive for a lift back to our accommodation. One DAF, who for want of a better term was our FlackTourmaster, and who some say can literally smell Packard parts, was wandering the nearby vendors when he returned and pulled Noel from the back seat of the truck. DAF then took Noel over to one vendor and said, pointing to something in a box, "what's that?" That, as it turned out, was a NOS 120 water pump which Noel promptly bought at a bargain basement price. The self same 120 water pump I'll be swapping into the Coupe in the next few days. Besides checking the "feel" of the pump bearing a rudimentary leak test was conducted by blocking the water inlet with a large rubber knob and pouring water into the pump cavity then turning the fan flange and checking for a leak from the seal weep hole. All appeared dry until I dislodged the rubber knob and, besides spilling water over the floor, ran a goodly amount down my arm.

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Wednesday 30th July 2014

My limited mechanical skills were put to the test today by swapping Noel's NOS waterpump into the Coupe. Managed to remove the old waterpump without real incident except I dropped a 1/2" ring/open ended spanner(wrench) part way through the removal process. Took off the upper radiator hose inlet from the pump housing, likewise the heater hose return also from the pump inlet. Loosened the generator, that's when I dropped the spanner, and removed the fan belt, then removed the four bolts holding the fan and pulley to the water pump, managing NOT to drop any of those because of the confined working area. Then, with access now readily available, removed the four bolts holding the pump housing to the block. Pump out removed the pump to block gasket and cleaned the block surface.

Turning to Noel's waterpump, which came with 3 block gaskets and 1 waterpump plate gasket(the big one), cleaned all the mounting surfaces. Then commenced applying non hardening gasket cement to the metal surfaces, plate and big gasket and gently tightening up the 3 upper retaining bolts and nuts. Also had to fight my old pump housing to release 2 of the copper washers which are used for the 4 pump housing to block bolts. One especially put up one heck of a fight the other was more co-operative. Applied gasket cement to the pump housing, small gasket and block surface then commenced to struggle to align bolts with holes. Got one in easily but getting the next one aligned seemed almost impossible. But, if there's one thing I've learned from Wade it's perseverance. So I persevered and finally, and although it wasn't the planets aligning it certainly had the same importance as far as I was concerned. Then removed each bolt individually and gave them, and the copper washers too, a good coating of gasket cement. Tightened all the bolts in increments, including the upper plate retaining bolts, until all were secured.

Took a break at this point to 1) let the gasket cement have some time to set somewhat and 2) have lunch. Lunch break over returned and slipped on the fan belt. THIS TIME ensuring it was properly seated in the crankshaft pulley vee! Then came some of the real fun stuff, remounting the fan pulley and fan on the pump shaft. Didn't have an aligning spigot so used the next best thing, a wooden golf tee. The tee has been sitting on my desk for who knows how long and it was just the thing after I cut it to size. Hardest part was the initial alignment of pump shaft boss, pulley and fan. But by inserting the tee in the boss, carefully slipping the pulley on and then the fan this proved to be easier than I thought it would be. Now came the really tough part, getting the fan retaining bolts and washers started without dropping any. After getting the first two on without incident, and mentally congratulating myself for doing such a terrific job, I of course jinxed myself! Third bolt and washer disappeared into the depths of the front cross member under the crankshaft vibration damper. Fourth bolt and washer went on as easy as the first two, proving I shouldn't let my ego get the better of me.

Then it was off the get a plug for the heater hose outlet at the rear of the cylinder head. Reason being the NOS pump had a plug in it and not a hose fitting like the one that came off. Being fearful that if I tried to remove the hose fitting I would either damage or break it I choose not to. Instead removed the heater fitting from the head and a trip to Pirtek and AU$1.70 later I had a plug. Re-routed the remaining heater hoses so that they formed a closed circuit with the heater. And with it being winter here and a temperature of 24C today and 25C forecast for tomorrow, there's not a great necessity for a heater anyway. Shhhh, that temp is unseasonably warm for winter but with freezing point seldom reached in Sydney lack of an operating heater isn't that big a deal. Also called into the workshop for advice from John on what coolant to use. With our impending move to a colder climate I need to ensure the Coupe can cope with regular below freezing overnight temperatures.

Back home filled with coolant then performed final checks on all hose fittings, nuts, bolts, fan belt and generator tension and fitment. All looked well so fired her up and observed for a while. All appeared well, no leaks. Left the car running for a while while doing some tidy up of tools and stuff. Then back to the Coupe to find, a leak! Or leaks? Disappointment isn't a strong enough word, shattered might be better. Leak appears to be coming from the pump to block seal, or lack of it! But by this time I'd had enough, put the car away for the night just so I can do the same again tomorrow! Isn't that deja vu all over again?

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Mal, great idea about using a golf tee for a bolt pilot. Maybe some short pieces of dowling (sp.?) could be used too. Too bad about the coolant leak. Those garage gremlins always seem to turn up.

(o{}o)

Mal, you're always on the ball to get everybody's Packard in the registry, but I looked for Amelia and she's not in there!
https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=768&start=170

If you need help contact Mal

Thursday 31st July 2014

"Too bad about the coolant leak. Those garage gremlins always seem to turn up."

Hmmmm, overnight it seems the friendly fairies intervened and counteracted the garage gremlins. Got to the Coupe late morning and after driving it out of the garage, and letting it run for a while, couldn't find any leaks! Let it run for a good while, and with the temp gauge on normal, still no leaks. Looks like the overnight sitting was enough for the gasket sealant to take effect. Turned the car off and let it sit for another hour then topped up with about 3 litres of coolant and went for about a 13 mile drive. Temperature today was right about the forecast 25C and driving was urban, with a fair bit of traffic light to traffic light stop start, so a good test. Part way through the drive stopped at a supermarket for about 15 minutes and the only minor coolant drips on the pavement were from the overflow tube with no sign of leaks from the pump gaskets. Likewise on reaching home, no sign of leaks. Will be going for further drives in the near future then thinking of pulling the fan and pulley off to re-tighten the pump bolts again.

"you're always on the ball to get everybody's Packard in the registry, but I looked for Amelia and she's not in there!"

I know, a pity, she would have made a nice addition. I have told Ross about PackardInfo but I think he's unlikely to join. Although I'll work on it again when I see him mid September.

That's interesting Mal. I guess it was just that the sealant hadn't cured. Hope that is the end of the problem! Didn't realise you will be moving to Bowral later - lovely place to live I reckon.

What probably happened is that the gasket was dried out a little, and it expanded enough with the coolant/water that it sealed.

Tuesday 23rd September 2014

Looks like The Fossil is finally about to move to her new home. Wade was at the workshop today preparing her for the journey north tomorrow morning on the back of a tilt tray truck. Part of preparation was ensuring she'd run so she could be driven on the truck rather than be winched on. I arrived just in time for the start up. First some fuel was pumped through the fuel pump and carb and then she roared into life. And when I say roared I, I mean ROARED! Going full throttle from the get go. Wade was inside the cabin trying to pull the throttle back with his toe, while I was on the other side to the carb having just observed the bowl on the fuel pump filling. Raced around to the carb side but Matt, a mechanic at the workshop, beat me to it. Simply by placing the palm of his hand over the top of the carb, the air cleaner was off, starved the engine of oxygen and she shut down. Tried again, after disconnecting the throttle linkage but with the same result. This time I placed my hand on the carb and strangled the engine after after pushing the throttle linkage manually had no effect. Wade then observed manual operation of the butterflies, looked good. Then checked the needle and seat, also looked good. With nothing apparent, then took the carb off the manifold to check the float. What a procedure! Not the easiest of carbs to work on with the choke linkage requiring disconnection and 3 restricted access screws on the underside. The 4 screws on top are a snap by comparison. Top off and the float is good. With the top off testing of the needle and seat became easier and this is where the problem is. The needle is one of those with a rubber(?) tip and was sticking open! I left Wade as he was about to depart for Carburettor Service Company to obtain a replacement needle and seat. Trust that Tim at CSC has what Wade needs.

While at the workshop who should call in but DavidM, our early Packard guru. David was there to pick up a set of repro door sills for the '30 740 Limousine he's finishing a resto of. Car was originally owned by his mate. But with the sudden demise of his mate and the car half finished David has stepped in and bought the car to complete it. When the car was picked up from Brisbane, about 550 mile north, there were some parts missing including the doorsills. These were found recently and were picked up when we had a recent Packard run on the Gold Coast about 60 miles south of Brisbane. 12 Packards on the run and about 50 people with a good time had by all. (Last 3 photos by E Wheeler)

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hi mal; hope things are going well for you down under. i was looking at the pictures of the fossil and noted in jpg(114.71kb) that the linkage with the spring on it for the accelerator pump is upside down. there is a small locking screw inside the big screw. have fun with the packards. jon