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Wednesday April 22nd 2009

While Wade removed engine accessories and manifolds from "Big Red" prior to the engines removal I was outside removing the rear shock links and front axle shock mounts from the parts '34 chassis for Terry(Traumjaegercat)packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb ... lat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=40

Back in the workshop helped Wade in the actual removal of both the intake and exhaust manifolds and also took off the top bellhousing retaining nuts from inside "Big Red". Then there was a search on for the plates Wade uses for lifting the senior eight engines. Couldn't be found, so a new pair were fabricated from flat stock. Started manouvering the engine crane into position to hook up the chain to the plates on the head studs fore and aft.

At this point Harvey arrived with an old valve radio which Wade will be performing his magic on to hopefully bring back to life. It appeared Harvey, who also has a '37 Super 8, would see the engine come out. But before that had to remove the front bumper to allow the engine crane closer access to "Big Red". Then after undoing the two front engine mount to chassis bolts, all was ready, so lifting the engine out began. Well that was the theory. Lifted, just an inch or so for clearance, but the engine wouldn't break clear of the trans! Even though Harvey wasn't dressed for the occasion he was into it, first offering advice then hands on inside the cabin attempting to lever, hammer(using a block of wood between the "persuader" and selected stud ends) and using bottle jacks to try and force the engine from the trans. Engine was also lifted and lowered a number of times to change angles or wiggle the setup in an attempt to break the hold between engine and trans. All this without any luck at all, not even a faint movement, no hint at all of a break between the two. After about 2 to 3 hours of this Harvey bid his farewell and offered to return tomorrow morning to continue assisting in what was becoming a major drama.

However after Harvey left it was decided to try again. This time the rear chain mount on the engine was changed to bring that lift point forward by a row of head studs. The lift was also increased to about double the height previously attempted. This combination finally had success with daylight now being seen between the engine and trans. A little levering between trans and engine and finally freedom! Once free, the engine was lifted higher to clear the steering box arm, slowly brought forward, manouvered to clear the fenders then wheeled into the vacant area between "Big Red" and the '34 chassis. The engine was lowered to the floor and two "legs" bolted to the rear of the block. Back into the air, drained of oil, then manouvered and placed on Dr Wade's operating table.

Wade commenced taking off the remaining accessories, the oil filter and lines and oil cooler "box". And I left a man, now happy in his work, disassembling his Packard engine.

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Mal,

I am always amazed at the times I have had folks drop by, and they end up leaving covered in car ooze! It seems that working on a Packard is irresistible. One time I had a UPS guy hang around and help for about 15 minutes.

Great posts. Thanks tons for keeping up with them.

Cheers,

Tom

Thursday 23rd April 2009

Didn't get to the workshop until the afternoon as a morning with the granddaughters far outweighs scraping dirt and grime from Packard parts. When I did get there, found Wade just about ready to move the trans out. So with Rick's help, he was on the trolley jack raising and lowering the delicately balanced trans, I was on the driveshaft end of the trans with a special Packard tool(see pic) while Wade was in the middle in the empty engine bay guiding, directing and adjusting the balance of the trans on the jack. Came out fairly easily without any of yesterdays dramas. Wade was on the phone then to ABC Bearings for new pilot and throw-out bearings. While Wade went about removing the pedals and other parts I was back into cleaning more parts. Won't be at the workshop tomorrow as I'm heading north again for a flying visit to my folks but on the way back dropping in to see PACA member David who has three Packards. Will post pic's of these next week.

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Tom,

These people can certainly lend a hand when it's required. My story is about a parcel delivery contractor for our postal service and came about when we had a swimming pool built in our backyard about 3 years ago. I was doing some landscaping around the finished pool when I lost about a quarter of a wheelbarrow load of dirt into the newly filled pool. I was hanging onto the wheelbarrow preventing the rest of the load from tipping into the pool but couldn't get the barrow back to a level position. That's when the parcel contractor arrived and with him pulling on me and me pulling on the barrow got the barrow away from the edge of the pool. Although he didn't get his hands dirty he saved me and the barrow from ending up in the pool. He still delivers to our neighborhood and we laugh about it now.

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Well, when Wade says he is going to take something apart..........

How did you finally get the retainer part of the rear axle bearing out?

Mal
You can come and clean at our house anytime you like.
Big Red's mrs

Looking forward to Gina's pictures of Mal with the vacuum.....

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John,

Last time at the workshop, Thursday, the cones weren't out because of the struggles with engine and trans removal diverting attention somewhat. Presume the pic below is what we're talking about and Wade's thought's were along the lines of hitting them with the arc welder, a spot or two of pelican poo and the consequent temp change may be enough to free them up. If not, then welding a bolt across the cone so that a slide hammer can then be used to "persuade" the cones to vacate the premises should do the trick. Will know more on Tuesday when I get back to the workshop.

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Gina(Big Red's mrs) and John,

We're getting into very dangerous territory here. "Unfortunately" I have a wife, Kath the love of my life, who would not be at all understanding if I started cleaning other peoples houses. For years I have been able to feign ignorance about such things as "how to operate a vacuum cleaner" and "house dusting" and so far this had succeeded. If I did demonstrate any ability in such things, I'm sure the word would soon spread and besides my existence being made even more miserable than it is now I would be expected to perform those functions at home as well. Accordingly I politely decline Gina's "offer" and am not at all amused by John's pictorial evidence request.

And Gina, if you're going to post in PackardInfo, I suggest you become a PackardInfo member. In fact, then you may be able to lay claim to one or some of the Packard's in your family's "collection" in your own right.

Tuesday 28th April 2009

Back to the workshop after the week-end's escapades. After a photo and measuring session under the rear end of the '34 and "Big Red" with the Spring retaining and shock mounting plates, that's the term I'm using for now unless someone can correct me. They are the plates(blocks?) under each rear spring through which the U-bolts pass and which the shock link attaches to by a protruding "arm". Looking in Wade's '33 to '36 Packard Service Parts List for the part description didn't help either. I'll continue this part of the day's activities in the "1934 shock links" thread in the Pre-War Forum after I've finished here.

In my absence Wade had kept himself busy picking up the rebuilt brake parts, taking out the fuel tank, removing the steering column and box and (Careful...Gina might be listening or watching) cleaning up some parts. The tank came out because the fuel gauge wasn't working. The steering column and box came out because of oil leaks. And, presumably, the parts were cleaned because Mal wasn't there! While I was taking the Spring retaining and shock mounting plates pic's Wade was disassembling the steering column and steering box. Wade also checked the fuel sender, gauge, etc. Turns out it's "only" a real bad earth for the fuel tank but while things are out all will be checked.

However during this Noel arrived and work broke up. Noel had called in to pick up a couple of "Certificates of Appreciation" which he'll deliver to the Restoration workshop at Crookwell and the Bradman Museum at Bowral in appreciation of their PACA Rally efforts. Noel will be in Crookwell tomorrow on business and readily agreed to be the club's ambassador in delivering these items. And while Noel is in the Southern Highlands I prevailed upon him to stop into the Mittagong RSL Club and pick up the prize I won in the Raffle being conducted there during the Rally. For your information I won a "Scrapbooking Set" which I'm sure our daughter will appreciate as she's right into craft. Unless the Dark Side of the Force overwhelms me and Packards are replaced by Scrapbooking, whatever that is.

Wade was also quite upset because the parts he'd ordered from MaxM's hadn't arrived. Apparently they were consigned by UPS who sub-contracted local delivery to AustraliaPost who's delivery guy couldn't find the workshop! It's bloody hard to miss I'll tell you, the guy must have been driving around with his eyes shut! No attempt was made to contact Wade, and there was no attempt at a second delivery, and so the parts have been returned to sender. What a joke!

Back on the tools and after cleaning up part of the pedal linkages, the rear axle U-bolts and nuts, the steering column and box, the front engine mount and the fuel filler pipe I was done for the day. Left Wade cleaning the water jacket cover plate which looks a little sad having a number of sizable pits. The inner plate definitely needs to be replaced as it was quite rusty with holes through it in places.

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When Gina finds out that Wade can clean that well she will probably have all kinds of tasks around the house for him to clean. Dishes, sinks, toilets.......