Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hello
I'm Dave from Torrance Ca..
I've had my 56 (the 400) since about 1987
but she's been sitting in my garage for about 10 years
and I just decided to get back into it.
It's always been a great driver, but last time I started
it, there was a lot of oil on the ground,
So where to I get a front seal from?
Has anyone done a carb switch, to a Holley? or another
carb.

How about an upgrade to the Master cylinder and
maybe relocate it to the fire wall.

I did the pertronix right after I bought the car
running a 40K coil.

I also did the Alt update, internal regulated one,
but would like to install a 1 wire if anyone has done
this.

I use to drive this car to Vegas and Tucson Az, and
usually got 15 mpg.

appreciate any info update..

Best
Dave
Torrance1@DSLextreme.com

Front seal readily available from any of the major Packard vendors. Try to get the later version which has a knurled metal surface where it presses into the timing chain cover. Maybe even use a little Loktite.

Kanter and probably the other vendors have the front seal. If you mean the transmission front seal, Kanter has the seal individually and also a bushing and seal kit so if the front seal is gone possibly other things are close to failing.

Numerous threads on various brake approaches. Do a search for BTV on site and you will find several threads over the years. Some are using the vent hole with a different pedal and others use universal components in the regular spot but modify the pedal. There is a recent post on a 54 firewall installpackardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb ... .php?post_id=151902#forumpost151902 which should be easily adaptable to yours -- although the 56 pedal and supports most likely would not be that easy to use and might require a different approach. Not sure about the electrical grommet locations either with the booster up high but am sure they could be accommodated.

Several threads from 5 or so years ago where a poster had been using an Edelbrock 500 cfm carb on his smaller 320 engine. He said that size would work on the larger engine but it might also be desirable to get a larger cfm that mounted the same for the 374. His approach did take a couple of spacers and adapters to use the original air cleaner and to space the carb up so throttle linkage would work and clear the manifold. No idea how many tried it but the poster had been using it for quite some time and was very supportive of the driveability.

Are you seeing engine oil on the ground or trans fluid? The front seal on the V8s sits above the oil capacity of the pan. So when the vehicle is sitting for a prolonged period as you mentioned. The front timing case cover seal would not be the likely source. I may be a bit confused but from the way that you described the problem, have you had the car running yet or has this puddle of fluid form during its time in storage?

Thanks
James From
Kanter Auto Products

G'day Dave(sanddoc),
to PackardInfo. I invite you to include your '56 Four Hundred Coupe in the Packard Owner's Registry.

Pictures, we want pictures.
You mention the AFB style carb, has anyone ever tried enlarging the secondary bores on a factory manifold to bolt on an AFB?

The leak is Oil, not trans fluid
Not leaking while sitting only when running.
The cars not hitting the road anytime soon, I have
another project car in the drive way, no rear axle
plus there is rust over the driver door and rear
window.
that's one reason it's not been driven.
BTW
I've had my "400" since 87.
Had the twin ultramatic by and Bob in Vista Ca.
I'm sure he as passed long time ago...
I have two wonder Bar radio's had them both rebuilt
when there were guys who still rebuilt car radios.

The BTV was known on occasion to "suck" the
brake fluid out of the master cylinder into the
intake manifold.
Back in those days the new hot item was Silicone
brake fluid, so I changed out the fluid and it worked
fine for a few months, then one day about 10 min
from my home the car started running like crap, I stopped
by a fried who had a Studebaker shop and we pulled
a couple of plugs, and found white crystals on the
electrodes, that was the silicone brake fluid...
I had the BTV rebuilt one, it leaked so I rebuilt
myself, never had a problem since.
But looking at the disc brake conversion kits,
I think I'll probably go that way when I get that far.
Max Merritt has the newer style front crank seal
$50.00.. not bad
I was lucky not long after I bought my "400" I found
an abandoned 56 "400" on a guys lot, I gave him $500
for it, non drivable, then sold the front clip for $500
to Custom Auto. So I have a lot of spare parts...
When I bought it, it was on a consignment lot, at
the Mel Burns Ford dealer in Long Beach Ca.
I paid $300 for it, painted black and with a window
that did not roll up.
She fired up right away, even though she had not run
in about two years... and had to trouble with bad
gas or varnish in the carb. After I checked her out
mechanically, I had her painted back to her original
color, White over Heather. Like I said it has a couple
of rust holes on the roof, and I see a couple of bubble
spots under the belt trim.
Damn my friend from Hawaii is over visiting and she
wanted to see the Packard, then got me interested in
her again, I was going to sell her, but now I'm not sure.
I have the 56 Packard, a 62 Ford country sedan wagon
and a 74 Dart swinger.
the wagon is going to be my road car, it has my
400HP Cleveland in it, has the Ford 4r70w auto over drive
a 70 Lincoln rear axle so wagon has 4 wheel disc brakes.
I'm doing new floor pans, and fabricating new mounting
points for the rear axle.
The wagon was a pale blue, I painted it Ford
Colonial White.
I'm doing the interior like original, and adding
a roof rack (original) to it..
Should be a nice ride when finished.

Dave(sanddoc),
Good you've overcome your Registry entry problems, so for including your '56 Four Hundred Hardtop Coupe.

What can I say.

No need to say nuthin', the Registry entry says it all.