Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Happy Holidays and thanks to all for your invaluable help this year. Another question about my '54 Packard Clipper Super 2-door club sedan, 327ci/165hp 8 cyl L-head. I am noticing what seems like a rapid electrical clicking sound from under the car with the clutch pedal fully depressed. I have the manual 3-speed column shift trans with overdrive. I tried engaging and disengaging the overdrive with the plunger knob under the dash to see if that would make the 'clicking' stop with clutch pedal depressed, to no avail. Also, after I disengaged and then re-engaged the overdrive with the under-dash plunger knob, I had a short period of difficulty shifting into second gear without grinding. Then, without any further intervention and after a few attempts, the car shifted into second gear without grinding. The rapidly cycling clicking noise under the car continues with the clutch pedal depressed. Appreciate any recommendations/suggestions on this situation.

Thanks again!

If the clicking sound changes frequency with engine speed I'd vote for throwout bearing or something related in that area. If it doesn't change then I'd get a helper to push the pedal while you see if you can track it to something under the car or something in the engine compt and go from there.

In this case it's unfortunate your car has a GEN light and not a conventional ammeter. If you had an ammeter, if it didn't move slightly with each "click" then I'd suspect the problem isn't electrical but is mechanical, for example the throwout bearing. But a throwout bearing will typically make noises, not only when the clutch is fully depressed, but also as soon as the clutch travel exhausts the pedal free play and there is any pressure on it. If you're convinced it's elecrical, why not just disable the overdrive system (remove the fuse or disconnect the power feed) and see if the noise stops or continues?

Thank you, guys. Excellent suggestions. I will proceed accordingly and get back to you.