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Thursday 6th December

Only half a day available - arrived at Wades Workshop 1:30pm. Since yesterday Wade had pressed out the large bolt at the top of the king pin that the shock pivots on, we were unable to get it out manually and ended up taking off the shock first. Wade had also taken out the lower control arm.

So today, still under Wades guidance, I dis-assembled the passenger side front suspension with the same problems as the other side including the same large nut and bolt stubbornly refusing to budge and my impression again of a beetle on its back.

The shocks are going off soon to an old shock guy that Wade knows who will rebuild them. Tomorrow, Friday, I can't make it to the workshop because of another commitment and on Monday morning I am donating blood, just a little more than was spilt yesterday, so won't see the '41 again till then. At that time Wade and I will sit down and see what we need to rebuild the front end. New springs, all bushes and rubber components are apparent. Will also check whether the drivers side lower control arm is in fact bent and determine what to do if it is.

If some of the terminology I use is unfamiliar or wrong, don't panic. There are some differences in automotive descriptors down under. While my inexperience and unfamiliarity probably account for the majority.

picasaweb.google.com/ozstatman/WadesWorkshop

So next update on Monday

Mal,

Wow wish I can be that descriptive. Looks like you have made some good progress. Keep up the good work?

Quote:

Tom,

Thanks for the kind words. I don't know about descriptive, just trying to liven up what could be a very boring storyline, after all how interesting is the dis-assembly of a 66 year old car. Alright - I'll withdraw that last statement as we're among Packard people here!

Thanks again - and I'm keeping an eye on your blog for the '31 as it progresses.

Mal,

It be pretty cold here now so my blog probably won't be updated until spring. Well unless we get Indian summer weather here then I can sneak in and get some more sanding and priming done. See I don't want to do anymore sanding and break through to bare metal. Been there with the body being bare all last winter.

FYI,
Don't us WD40 on bare body metal. It is no fun getting that stuff off?..

Monday 10th December

Quiet day for working on the '41 - there was none! Went and gave blood this morning and then to the workshop. Sat down with Wade and figured out most of what was needed to be bought to rebuild the front end, including:

Front end kit
Front springs
Front wheel bearing kit
Rear wheel bearing kit
Tune Up Kit

Then went home and began ordering them from Kanter or Max Merritt, along with the following:

Various front suspension rubber bumpers
Oil Filter cartridge

At this point Wade rang me and advised about the front suspension bumpers, which I'd already remembered, and added a few more items from a closer inspection of the '41 after I left today, being:

Spark plugs
Fan Belt
Radiator hoses

I know - some of these pieces are probably available cheaper elsewhere or even locally but I'm like a kid in a candy store and can't resist it!

Tomorrow will get dirty again cleaning the front end parts that came out together with the front part of the frame and anything else I can access.

Mal,

Glad to hear you are able to donate blood. I can't for another 8 months. I was out of the country back in September so they won't expect a donation from me for a year.


Are you retired? Wish I were that way I can spend more time on old Bessie

Tom,

Yes, I'm retired, now 61. Been that way for almost 6 months and really lapping it up, it's great! In fact getting my first Packard, the '38, was a significant factor in determining that I would retire. And when I bought the '41 on eBay, not long after, I had to retire so I could afford the car!

I give blood, actually plasma, about every fortnight other commitments permitting. Reason I give plasma, and not whole blood every 12/13 weeks, is that I am on a long term course of anti-biotics for Roseaca. So, they're happy to take plasma but not whole blood or platelets. At least it's something! Just as well they're so strict with their processes, what with some of the horror stories that have emerged about contaminated supplies.

Where did you go that they stopped you from donating, obviously a high risk country?

Mal,

Was in Seoul last December around this time and September of this year.

I can't wait for retirement and I am only 42 1/2. I am hoping for 7 more years which I will have thirty year service where I am at now and will be age 50. Well that is if we have jobs by then yet. You know how big corporations are.

You keep up the good work over there and keep us posted.

Tuesday 11th December

Only at the workshop for a couple of hours this morning. But, on the way, stopped at the Post Office to pick-up the head gasket I'd ordered which replaces the one Wade gave me for the '38.

Just scraped and brushed the built up dirt and grime on the frame, inner panels and under the drivers side front fender. Then started to take off some of the inner fender panels, the more you sit there looking and scraping the more you think I gotta do a half decent job on this, after all it is a Packard. So the work grows. Might be like that theory/law about computer memory/speeds doubling every 2 years or whatever it is! (There's the Luddite coming through for you!)

Another thing - now going to rewire the car. Wade spent some more time yesterday looking over it. Funny that every time he does that it costs me more money, I'm starting to think he gets kickbacks from the parts suppliers! That aside, the original wiring is still in place but is bare or worn through in many places. Have put a question to Merritt's by email about the cost of a harness to suit, including for the overdrive and waiting now for their reply. Have also contacted a local harness supplier, who makes replacements using the original harness as a template. They gave a guesstimate over the phone in the range of AU$1000/1200 (USD880/1050). When I say local, he's about 500 miles away in another state. Depending on cost, I'd like to go with the local bloke to support his support of old cars in Australia. He has done a number of Packards before as well as many other cars and I understand his work is very good. Is also able to include wiring for turn indicators too.

G'day Mal, The last local harness for my 38 120 was only about $A300, 2 years ago. I shall dig up the info and get back to you. You do not get the minor harness to the rear, which is very easy to fabricate, but all of the other harness is very well made and well labelled. It was made for the Packard body but fitted the Australian body ok. I shall get back to you shortly( when I go to Jacobs Street tomorrow) Best regards Peter