Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I refer to it as speaking "Typonese"

Dear John:

This thread has been dragging. For your car the Packard oil pressure specification is 50 psi at 45 mph, so your motor is worn.

How long before it quits is dependent on how you use it. If you keep it off the highways and stay under 55 mph it could last for years of occasional usage such as local parades and such. Don't plan on any trips though.

A full repair would include cam bearings. A general idea as to wear could be had from checking a few bearings with Plastigage. The car may have been switched to detergent oil without dropping the oil pan, valve covers, and cleaning out the sludge, but the lifters are quiet so maybe it's just worn out.

Hope this helps you avoid burning out a rod bearing.

Tim, thanks for your words of concern. The engine has probably less than 5,000 miles since a complete rebuild in the mid-1980s, so I don't think it is worn out. Oil pressure is probably more like 45-50 lbs at highway speed. I recently had the pan off, cleaned it and the oil strainer. Just a small accumulation of sludge in the bottom of the pan. The "pil" (yes, I too have been there and done that) pump pickup screen was clean.

(o[]o)