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Thursday 26th May 2011

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Same again today, PO Box cleared and Misty was again the lucky recipient of another lamb leg bone.

So, instead of Wade's Workshop, todays treatise is going to be more like Mal's Meanderings!

Tuesday received a call from JohnM, he of the TJ Richards bodied '39 Six Sedan which Wade has worked on from time to time. John had spoken to Wade about getting the dings and scrapes on the '39 fixed and Wade had pointed John in my direction. Why? Because I'd found a guy, Col about 3 years ago, who fixed the dings and scrapes on my '38 Eight. The fixing of the '38 is covered in my previous blog Mal's '41 120 Coupe from Page 26, Post #251 on, it also has pic's of John's '39. Luckily I'd kept my diary from 2008 and was able to find Col's contact details and phone him. Arranged with Col to bring the '39 over early Thursday afternoon for a quote for the repairs, so all was going well. But when I called John he advised he had an appointment to see the Vet so his cat could have it's Feline Flu injection. Now, what's more important, a cat or a Packard? John saw reason and was going to reschedule the Vet visit in favour of getting the Packard prettied up. But, another But you say? Yes, another But! But, when I phoned John again to confirm everything was now set for Thursday afternoon, he then informed me the '39 was not drivable at present! Apparently the throttle linkage has been removed for machining of new pins to help take up the slack which has developed over the years. John was concerned he wasn't getting all the throttle response he should and found the carb only opens to about 70% of it's potential. Then rang Col and explained the situation, which he took real well, and advised I'll be in contact again once the '39 is running.

As you'll be well aware, my ego feeds off this Blog. And that's funny because BP, Before Packards, my ego was reasonably under control. Since owning Packards, coupled with this Blog, it's gone beserk! So yesterday when I saw this Blog had received 100,000 views I had to take a picture of what, to me, was a momentous occasion. Then I noticed another Blog, Joe's "The Duchess Project: 1940 Super 8 Convertible Sedan" was at 12344 I waited until it clicked over to 1-2-3-4-5 a momentous occasion in itself in a progression of numbers. Something about a certain members Forum name and an association with figures come to mind?

EDIT - Click on pic's for a larger, clearer image to open in another window. There's the ego kicking in again!

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Monday 30th May 2011

Shortly after I arrived at the workshop so too did a parcel for Wade. What could it be? Why a water pump needing to be rebuilt for a '36 Packard, of course. Seems that Wade's prowess in doing this is spreading, with this one being forwarded by a Hot Rod shop in Queensland, about 540 miles north! From the info with it, it looks like the owner might be a PACA member, although his first name differs from that shown in the Club Registry. Then shortly after that, Wade had a call from Ed, a PACA guy with a '37 120 Touring Sedan. Ed needs some help with his brakes and was going to have Brookers Brakes look at them but old Col there knee's aren't what they used to be so Wade will do so in a couple of weeks time. Reason being Wade is presently readying Big Red for another Rally over the weekend of 11th - 13th June. The Rally is PACA's Victoria Regions annual "Border Run" and this year is centered on Stawell and Ararat. After 2,500 miles in Tasmania we're probably looking at another 1,500 miles for the Border Run so Big Red needs to be in good shape.

That's what the day entailed, work and maintenance on Big Red. As mentioned last week, Wade removed the rear window and is having new glass cut to replace it. The leak that had developed, because of the old rubber gasket being past its use by date, required some clean up work on the window's body surround which had some surface rust. Cleaned up with a wire brush in drill, prepped and POR-15 to seal the job and now good for another 70+ years. Also painted one of the rear window retaining/surround channel pieces with POR-15, Wade having cleaned it last week. An unexpected repair also raised it's head when Wade opened the right rear door of Big Red to access the rear window, neither the footlight or the dome light came on and opening the left rear door did! So, the door switch was removed, tested(too many Ohms, apparently should be Zero), opened up, contacts cleaned, retested(OK), re-assembled and re-installed.

Next, the powrplant. But before starting on it in earnest, Wade demonstrated a slight hesitation which had developed in the engine. Plugs out, cleaned, would have re-gapped but all were still at 0.028", so back in they went. Started up, but still a hesitation. Next the distributor, so leads and cap off, unbolted and out it came. Into the vice where the points gap was found to be probably only half the 0.015" it should be. Before re-gapping, the points were lightly dressed, a light lube of the distributor cam, re-gapped, cap checked and back in the distributor went. Started up but still a slight, although much improved, hesitation. Then noticed there was a slight "weep" from the top of the float bowl cover of the carb, screws tightened and - no hesitation! As the saying goes, "just needed a tune up"!

During the Tour of Tasmania, Australia's coldest State, Big Red had been without the benefit of a working heater. Before leaving for Tassie Wade had rigged up a temporary valve so the water flow to the heater could be regulated, because the one on the head outlet was leaking. And very successful he was too, just not as intended! The temporary valve was mounted on the firewall but..... it was mounted too high causing an air pocket which wouldn't clear resulting in no heat just some gurgling noises from the direction of the heater. Today out came the temporary valve, heater hose connected to the valve on the cylinder head, which is fully open and not leaking in that position, and now there should be heat even though it will be continuous. Thankfully, with Oz now in winter, that won't be a problem.

Allied to the leaking rear window, Big Red's rubberoid roof is mis-behaving itself as well. You'll remember from a previous post that this had happened before, but in case you don't I've included this Quote:And another more recent Quote: So next it was Wade, up a ladder, with silicone sealer cartridge and gun re-caulking the front of the roof insert. Although this is nothing like Silicone implants, Big Red is "a bit of a tart"!

And still another, although unrelated Quote:I mentioned Ed earlier and it's co-incidental that Peter, the guy who scored the bug screen rang me last night. He wanted 1) to thank me for the screen, no need to really, and 2) Ed's phone number, so he could talk to Ed about the fastenings on it. Peter comes from Melbourne and has a '40 120 Convertible Coupe he'll use the screen on. I also took the opportunity to invite Peter to drop into the workshop on his return journey to Melbourne tomorrow. Hope he does, it's always good to meet another Packard owner and put faces to names.

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Tuesday 31st May 2011

In removing Big Red's rear window last week Wade also had to remove the rear window blind. The blind is a roller type, anchored on the shelf behind the top of the rear seat and pulls up to close. But in loosening the left side blind mount one of the screws snapped. Time was spent to determine whether the snapped off screw could be accessed from inside the boot(trunk). It can't. Reason being the piece behind the back of the rear seat is timber so the screw didn't penetrate. If it had been metal then we'd have been in business. Also topped up the oil in Big Red, needed a bit of a drink after it's 2,500 mile southern jaunt recently.

After I left yesterday Wade had dis-assembled the '36 water pump and that was the next item turned to. Set about cleaning the housing and impeller so it was in respectable condition for a trip to ABC Bearings. Cleaning done, off to ABC where Dennis sourced a double row bearing to replace the bronze bush in the pumps snout. Also picked up the ceramic seal required. Back at the workshop set about properly cleaning the pump pieces in the wire wheel and blasting cabinet. During the cleaning the pump backing plate revealed it's true self with a number of brazing repairs evident. What did Wade do? Why go to the shelf, he had another sitting there. It's like a magic lucky dip, most times you stick your hand in you come up with a prize!

While I was cleaning, Wade was drawing up new plans for the machining required on this water pump and also thinking anew about it. Upshot is there's likely to be another trip to ABC to source another bearing as part of the rebuild package. And Big Red received further attention with Wade checking the timing using John's timing light. Needed a little adjustment and in doing so Wade noticed, in the gloom of the workshop, something he didn't want to see. Number 5 spark plug was intermittently shorting across to the distributor! Fix was to remove the distributor cap and leads and insulate #5 and #4 plug leads, which is also in close proximity to the distributor, using shrink wrap tubing. Worked!

Tomorrow, weather permitting because it's been wet the last couple of days, Big Red is off to Ralph Moore Autoglass at Mascot for fitment of the new rear window glass and rubber gasket.

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Wednesday 1st June 2011

First day of winter here in Oz, with grey skies and the prospect of rain in Sydney. Wade was backing Big Red out of the workshop when I arrived and I hung around while he parked it. Just as well, had to holler out Whoa! Otherwise the boot(trunk) and luggage rack would have suffered damage from the caravan, and it's large tow bar, he was backing into. Then rounded up some plastic and tape, which could be needed to temporarily seal the rear window if it rained on the way to the Ralph Moore Autoglass. Fortunately it didn't. Once there Greg, Ralph's right hand man, swung into action. Sorry, wrong words, Greg's not the sort of guy to swing into action. Greg initially spoke with Wade about the situation and explained what and how he was going to do the job. Then he carefully assessed each step, making sure he had the right tools, equipment and sealer. Making use of Wade a number of times. Wade held the outer trim strip in place while Greg applied sealer, or held the glass in place, moved the glass around to obtain centre and assisted with fitment of the rear window internal retaining channel, etc. etc. Took about 2&1/2 hours for fitment, now the rear window is the best part of Big Red. Well, it's the newest at least!

Back at the workshop, but it was really only a pitstop, picked up a piece of the stripping which goes between the rear window internal retaining channel and the internal window moulding. Also picked up the '36 water pump impeller, the drawing Wade had roughed out to include another bearing in the pump and the new shaft and bearing for the '38 water pump which has been sitting on the bench for months now. Concerning the '38 pump, Wade has been waiting for the seal to arrive but with it's non appearance to date has decided to use a locally available seal with machining to suit. First stop ABC Bearings where a small bearing for the '36 was found, this too will entail machining work but that was going to be done anyway, just means the scope of work expands a bit. Next was a seal for the '38 pump which was readily available. Wade can just about now tell Dennis what seal fits what application without reference to notes. That done, round the corner to Grippy Rubber where Wade picked up 1.6 metres of 12mm x 4.5mm adhesive backed neoprene to use in the rear window internal retaining channel in place of the original fibre strip.

Back at the workshop, again, but this time for good for the afternoon. First the neoprene strip was cut to length and inserted in in the rear window internal retaining channel. Then turned to the water pumps with measurements taken, seals trial fitted if possible, drawings made and the fan pulley flange pushed off the old '38 impeller shaft. Wade will draft some more presentable drawings for the machining work. The pumps and hardware will go to the machinist early next week and hopefully will be ready by the time Wade returns from the Border Run. Then into The Fossil. Wade in talking to and assisting Greg with Big Red's rear window had mentioned the installation of the rear window in The Fossil. Together with what was observed today Greg gave advice about trial fitment of the window and what to look for there. From the trial fit of the new glass in the new rubber gasket together with making a cardboard template of the window opening/outline there may be a problem because it doesn't fit as well as it should. Wade, together with the glass, gasket, cardboard template, will be seeking further advice from Greg in due course. Last thing attended to was Big Red's timing. Because on to way to ABC Bearings, the engine was pinging under hard acceleration up a hill! Timing was retarded a bit and re-checked with the timing light.

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Thursday 2nd June 2011

Wade arrived with a can of spray adhesive he uses in his other guise of electronics repairman. Uses the spray to affix new material to old radio grills. But todays application was to be used for the upholstery surrounding Big Red's rear window. Yesterday neoprene stripping had been used in the rear window internal retaining channel instead of the original fibre strip. The upholstery surrounding the rear window was originally stapled to the fibre strip but the fibre strip now isn't too healthy so a modern replacement was used in lieu. A cardboard piece was cut to cover the inside of the rear window to protect it from any overspray of the aerosol adhesive being used. But..... the first piece of cardboard was too small so a second larger piece was made. This was slightly too big so about 1/8" trimmed off all round with a further trim along the top edge completing the job. Adhesive was sprayed onto the neoprene stripping and then onto the reverse of the upholstery where it folds into the rear window opening. Worked well. Wade tells me this adhesive can be used to attach patches to shirts and jackets. The rear window moulding was then re-installed. And as previously mentioned, one of the screws for the left side fitting for the rear window roll up blind had snapped off. Solution was to move the left side fitting outward slightly so new holes for the retaining screws could be drilled. Used a small plastic spacer, on the blind pivot shaft, to accomplish this with new holes drilled and the blind then affixed in place. Then came re-installing the rear seat back. The seat back is held in place by eight bolts, four mounting through the boot(trunk) bulkhead into the upper part of the seat frame, and four from the lower seat frame into captive nuts in the bulkhead. The holes for the upper bolts in the trunk are easily accessible, just required me to jiggle the seat slightly from the back seat while Wade inserted the bolts from the boot(trunk). However, the lower bolts being under the bottom of the seat frame with much more difficult access, required a different approach. Required me to lever each mounting point into position while Wade was lying at eye level with the bolts to insert and start them. This went well for 3 of the 4 bolts, but the last one, instead of just requiring a one directional movement for alignment required two directions, up and sideways. Managed to accomplish that, then Wade tightened up all the bolts except one. One having a stripped thread, was replaced and tightening continued. After that the seat bottom was a piece of cake, just needed to be slid and clipped into place. Following a good vacuum of the seat, floor and footrests, it once again befits Gina's presence.

Mentioned in Monday's post about Big Red's heater "gurgling" and what had been done to fix it. But it didn't! During the runs to Ralph Moores Autoglass and to Silverwater yesterday it was still doing it's best toilet impersonation. So another tack was taken after Wade read a Service Letter dated 15th October 1935 from the Service Letters compilation book I bought off eBay a few weeks ago. It was about the only piece referring to heaters! In it, it mentions a change whereby a restrictor plug is now included in the heater plumbing. Says "It has been found that this reduction in flow does not reduce the efficiency of the heater and at the same time it cuts down any tendency of the water to 'gurgle' in passing through the heater core." Also says "These plugs will be supplied without charge and may be ordered under Pc. No. P. A. 5708." Wade tried that, but unfortunately his requests go unanswered. Instead a short length of smaller diameter heater hose was inserted into the heater hose with a couple of hose clamps around the hose to position and retain the inner restricting piece of hose. Test run results? Still gurgling!

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Monday 6th June 2011

Greeted at the workshop this morning by a dirty old oil filter on the bench together with the '36 and '38 water pump bodies and associated impellers and parts waiting for delivery to the machine shop. Noel had sent me an email last week that included this, "Will drop the spare oil filter in, in the next couple of days to be rebuilt - did Wade tell you the one on my '39 is leaking again? Got a spare off Les's '49 parts car", so that explained the oil filter.

Then, after making sure all the parts and diagrams were with the respective water pumps we were off in Big Red to deliver them to David for the machining work required. David can't do them straight away but, because Wade is going to be away on the Border Run until about the 20th, hopefully they'll be ready on his return. On the way back to the workshop dropped into Lee Bros and picked up some bolts and other fasteners which are required for The Fossil. Also dropped into Jaycar where Wade picked up some lights which he's going to use to illuminate a "corner post" for Big Red. "Corner post" is my term for a little metal post that's bolted to a mudguard(fender) so the driver has a better idea of where the corners of the car are.

After all that good clean fun it was time to get down and dirty and clean Noel's oil filter canister, top and bracket. Needed to use the rattle gun to get the nut for the filter canister top undone and then hacksawed through the tensioning bolt on the bracket it was so rusted together. Cleaned the sludge out of the canister and then wire-wheeled the canister, top and bracket before subjecting them all to the blasting cabinet. The top, in particular, required "special" treatment with a build up of stuff around the underside sealing face needing to be almost chiseled off it was that hard to remove. A final blasting and it's now good to go.

Won't be down at the workshop tomorrow and with Wade & Gina leaving the day after, together with Harvey and Carol, for the Border Run I won't be down there for a while. Should be quite a sight to see two '37 Super 8 Club Sedans traversing the countryside on their way to and from Stawell. I will however be borrowing Wade's Holden Ute to pick up some Packard parts from Peter, the guy I bought the '38 Eight Sedan from in 2007. Peter is donating the remaining Packard parts he has to PACA where they will go into "club stock" for the benefit of our club members.

And a mention of yesterday when PACA had it's monthly run, this time to the Nurragingy Reserve in Sydney's western suburbs. Seven Packards in attendance and we signed up a new member on the day, someone familiar to this blog, Snapey! Turns out Matt lives close by and instead of me mailing him a Packard book I'd picked up in an eBay auction I invited Matt to the party, so to speak. When it came time to Matt paying his dues he didn't have the right change so there was a bit of a hiatus until Russell, Russpackaus, produced some PACA merchandise amongst which was a PACA badge. Problem Solved! Matt bought the badge, change was now available in the amount required and Matt is now a financial member of PACA. Plus Matt promised, that when he returned home he was going to affix the PACA badge to the front of the '34 1100 chassis he bought off Wade. Well Matt, I'm waiting for the pic of that momentous event to be posted in your Snapey's 1935 Racing Biposto blog! On the way home stopped in and saw Harvey's latest folly, sorry, acquisition. Another '40 Willy's. I'm worried in case he's turning to the dark side of the force!

Link to Nurragingy pic's.

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Wednesday 8th June 2011

What do you think arrived in the mail today? Why, just another badge for the badge bar, that's all! And best of all it perfectly fills the void currently there! It's a Packards International badge which I found on US eBay almost 2 weeks ago with a US$19.99 But-it-Now price and, after establishing it's dimensions, bought it. So a trip to the workshop ensued to mount the badge. You'll see by the pic's it's next to a PAC badge. Now that's not an anomaly because PACA is both a Chapter of Packards International Motor Club and a Region of Packard Automobile Classics Inc(The Packard Club). And.....the earth continues to turn!

Plus I contacted Peter about the parts he's donating to PACA "Club Stock" with the major items being a complete '38 Eight diff assembly and 4 doors for a '38 Eight sedan. Will be going over to pick them up and the various smaller parts on the afternoon of Thursday the 16th.

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PAC and PI.....together at last.

Thursday 9th June 2011

No workshop activity today but did receive some pic's from Bill B with the question "Do you know these beautiful cars?" Bill's mate had been in Tasmania during the Packard Tour of Tasmania and had sent him the pic's below with this comment ".....just returned from a holiday in Tasmania. While there, we came across the Packard Club who were touring the island. They had some great cars. All told, there were 8 Packards & 1 Cadillac. Here are 4 of them." Was able to fill Bill in as what it was all about.

EDIT - Pressed the elder grand-daughter, 4 y.o., into Packard Club service today. Needed to stamp some car display day stickers with the Packard logo and with her expertise at this sort of task at pre-school she was certainly the only one for the job. Very determined and a great job done!

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Mal, I like your humour: ' . . . low visibility is now no visibility'.

A coupla days ago I was pulling staples out of my parcel shelf and elsewhere (with some difficulty, as they were really tight!). . . It will be good to use an alternative wherever possible so I've made a note of that spray adhesive.

The headlining etc looks very nice!