Packard Forum Index » Project Blogs

Well, vacation's over and then a week on the road for work is done too. So I managed to get some time in this afternoon on the car. Today's project was engine archaeology.

Pulled the radiator out, even after prior draining still got some really gritty sludge out of the bottom. I plan to get it flushed and checked at the radiator shop anyway so no biggie there. I don't know how old the antifreeze is in there but it hasn't frozen even though it's been way below zero for most of the last month and a half. Couldn't budge the bolts holding the radiator support frame to the frame rails, I'll need to grab my impact from my main toolbox at work.

Next I removed the fuel pump heat shield, then the intake/exhaust manifolds. I like how they hid those two inner nuts in there, but everything came loose easily since I'd hit it with penetrating oil several times over the last month in anticipation. I hate breaking exhaust studs off.

Obviously the mice had been commuting through the exhaust system, 3 of the exhaust ports in the engine were full of grain. So I'll have to pull the whole exhaust and clean it out or replace it.

Attach file:

---

  (69.09 KB)


  (92.68 KB)

Once I got the parts removed from the right side of the engine I could start chipping and scraping the hardened grease and dirt off the block. I got the big chunks broken loose with a screwdriver, then got things cleaner with a putty knife.

I removed the generator and ignition wires on the left side of the engine, you can see how much gunk needs to be scraped off that side yet.

Attach file:

---

  (113.40 KB)


  (135.64 KB)

Don't think I've ever seen a fuel pump that has managed to get that much crust on it. Does the valve or timing chain cover have a big hole in the gasket to allow that much oil get on the thing?

Yeah, there must be a pretty substantial leak up front somewhere, the front cover and down both sides of the engine all look like that. On the bright side, there doesn't seem to be any rust on the engine to speak of.

Got some time after work today to clean up the fuel pump. Now I can take it apart to see how bad it is inside, depending on corrosion I'll either rebuild it or exchange it. I should have my daughter do this, she did go to school for archaeology after all.

Attach file:

---

  (45.07 KB)


  (43.54 KB)

The best thing about baked on grease and oil is that it keeps rust away! Pump Looks good. One part at a time...

It was a balmy +5F today so time to work in the hangar, ran out of propane and had to go exchange a cylinder at lunchtime but otherwise not bad in my bubble. I removed the valve covers and the valve area isn't too gunked up at all, that's promising. Hooked up a battery and spun the engine over with the starter, all the valves are free and the lifters seem to all rotate so that's promising too.

Then I chipped away at the hardened dirt/oil concrete on the driver's side of the engine, removed the oil filter, distributor, starter to get to the block. All that stuff needs to be cleaned up and checked. Got the trans lines loose at the cooler and removed that too, and the fan. I will remove the pulleys to get to the timing cover and water pump etc too. Anything that I can throw a new gasket at I will.

Attach file:

---

  (60.04 KB)


  (59.55 KB)

Remember I mentioned that my wife's uncles used this car to chase foxes through the fields when they were lads? Here is a picture of the oil pan which shows the results. It doesn't leak! I'm going to need to get a better pan though, anyone know of a good source?

Attach file:

---

  (49.56 KB)

"I'm going to need to get a better pan though, anyone know of a good source?"

If no one else comes to the party maybe you could contact Gerry, packardssouthwest, by PM or email? Click on packardssouthwest and that'll take you to Gerry's profile where there's an email address or you can click on the PM button. Lately Gerry has been selling a lot of parts, although so far I haven't seen any 288/327 oil pans. Here's an ad he had for V8 Oil Pans.

I have one spare one from a 52 327. It will fit a 288. Plus it's just one state away from you!