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i set it cold....it was a PITA to do it running and burning ass hot near that manifold.

if it clattered when it got warm.. I just waited for it to cool off......adjusted.....ran....

i got it pretty dang close.

less heat....less burns....less oil everywhere.

Thanks guys! I love this forum - in just a few hours, I got inputs from people who have done it hot and idling, warm, and cold!

Based on my valve train noise, I'm confident they are very loose. As such, I'm going to use what I call the hybrid method that JW discuses - drive it to normal operating temperature, shut it off, adjust clearances. Verify clearances at low idle.

I also found this, courtesy of Peter Toet, on this website, so I'll utilize his technique to minimize the time spent adjusting the engine.

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wear gloves.....get ready to be burned....and you may even cuss a bunch. enjoy!!

I may just be uncouth, but there is typically a stream of "blue language " under my breath whenever I work on cars - occasionally I even make hammers fly!

Well, I used the hybrid method ala Peter Toet, and got all the valves pretty close to specification. Still noisy. With the engine idling I used my feeler gauge to identify noisy valves. I ran out of time to finish the job, and I'm working on the house tomorrow, so I may not get back to it for a few days, but hopefully I can get this engine humming. She starts easy, pulls well, doesn't overheat - once she is quieter down all that's left to do is drive! If another round of valve adjustment doesn't quiet it down, and re-torquing the exhaust, I guess I'll pull out the stethoscope and see what I can find.

One dummy question- people turn off the engine to adjust the valve right? Just check clearance hot and idling? I'm not sure I'm coordinated enough to run three wrenches with the engine moving, and no room for a helper under the fender. Either way, checking with them running is simple, and not as messy as I thought it would be.

Hank, just one good burn on my forearm! Even minimal curse words today!

I did confirm that the heat riser is properly functioning again, so there's that.

Valves adjusted- drove until engine was warm, pulled into the driveway, adjusted with the motor hot but off, checked again hot and idling. Found a few that were very loose, but even after adjustment the engine still seems noisy. Re-checked again today, cold, adding 0.002 to my clearances. Tightened the valve lash on maybe 3-4 valves, started it up. Seemed a little quieter, but also not quiet enough. A few of the valves seemed to be clicking more than the others, when I put my stethoscope to the collar next to the lifter. Clearances were fine though. Are hardened seats noisier? The three clicking valves are all exhaust.

I put the valve covers on, drove it around, and went to the gas station. It seemed to be quieter, but still not quiet enough. I was going to recheck hot and idling but it was 90 degrees, so I'll find a cooler day.

Next on the list is more horn troubleshooting. A closer inspection of the wire from the relay to the horns indicates it is original. Also, the relay is designed to have three screws, but is only held down with two. What are the odds it is incorrect for the car? Seems odd that Packard would only droll two holes in the mount if the relay had provisions for three. I tested the relay, and it works fine. I did clean up the points a little with a file, and reset the gap.

Also- the insulators where the neck of the horn sits in the mount are just chunks of heater hose. Looks like crap. What was originally there? Maybe just a rubber grommet?

Good to be driving it. Still grinning with how much better it rides with two good shocks and new king pins!

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Source regular black grommets for the horns, easy (carefully razor split if you are lazy).
Relay is not original, OEM cover is stamped RBM, I "might" have one...

Thanks Flack! I'll take one if you've got one!

Not too much work on the car this weekend- house projects took priority plus a non-car related ER visit. All is fine. Realized I never posted pictures of the freshly porcelain coated intake or valve adjustment, so cheers!

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Not too much done tonight. Waiting on parts for a few small jobs. Did finally contort myself up under the dash to install led bulbs in the map light and instrument panel. Wow! Will be much more comfortable to drive at night now!

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