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

I guess I'm saying the obvious; "spacers" around the bolts are primarily heat insulators, though also needed for alignment. Ditto on some models for the very thick pump spacer block.

When I pulled the fuel pump out of my "51 last summer the spacers were made of brass. That's what I put back in after a rebuild.

I suspect someone in the past used the brass spacers to fill the space, not realizing that brass is a pretty good conductor of heat versus phenolic and why the phenolic was used. I know the first time I worked on my 40 120, I didn't know why that funny stuff was in there, and why the bolts that didn't fill the holes were used. My 51 200 had the phenolic ones.

I would suggest that you get some of the phenolic tubing mentioned earlier in this string and replace them. But if you aren't having any vapor lock problems, then why bother.

I make very quick and easy insulators by cutting a strip of fiber gasket paper as wide as the hole is deep, and wrapping it around the bolt a few turns to a suitable thickness.

I realize it's a bit of money up front but if you're into the hobby for the long term and don't have one, a small lathe like this one from Harbor Freight is a wonderful tool to have. Turning plastics for such things as the bushings under discussion here and other non-conductive bushings for generators, distributors etc. and small metal parts such as the occasional carburetor part, bronze bushings for distributors, generators and starters, king pins, and all such items are easily done from inexpensive stock materials. It is large enough (just barely) to turn most generator and starter commutators. I've also used it to cut the occasional thread and decorative bolts such as acorn-headed. And learning the skills to do the work is enjoyable. Give it some thought.

Another useful shop tool is you already have a drill press is to buy a cross-feed table which enables you to do some simple milling chores; between the two there are many small replacement parts you can make, often from sturdier or more suitable materials than the originals. I'll post a picture if anyone is interested.

Attach file:

---

  (118.86 KB)

I removed my fuel pump from my 52 200, and measured the parts. The spacers, washers and gasket are all phenolic.

Gasket is 0.075" thick
Washers are 0.10" thick
Spacers are 0.75" high, 0.67" outside diameter, and 0.04" wall thickness

The phenolic gasket is like a spacer, and there weren't any other gaskets used, it seemed to be sealing fine.

Ron Carpenter makes and sales the spacers 925-980-0208

There are Packard engines that need the spacers to prevent the pump from binding against the galley area ( depends on pump ). May have just been a field type repair to allow fuel flow if correct pump is not available. The pumps I've seen all have sleeves inside the mounting holes.
Packard 385

Ok, so I was changing out the Fuel pump on my '53 cClipper yesterday and sure enough, on putting the assembly back through the wheel well, I lose the spacer/sleeve. Spent about 30 minutes looking in the shock tower/control arm to no avail. The spacer on the opposite side of the pump fits in the hole snugly.
Does anyone else have any input on where to find these?

I do like Ross' gasket paper method
Where do you get gasket paper?

I'm thinking of just using the a paper gasket that came with the fuel pump and rolling that up.

Where do you get gasket paper?

Auto parts stores like NAPA have assortment packages of various types and thicknesses. you can also buy it from industrial suppliers like McMaster-Carr and MSC. But if Ron Carpenter sells them, why not just buy them, how much could they cost?