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

TO ALL, I AM LOOKING FOR INFO ON REBUILDING THE VACUME OPERATED SYSTEM ON MY 1940 MODEL 110. it STILL WORKS BUT IS GETTING SLOWER ALL OF THE TIME. I HAD CHANGED SOME OF THE OLD HOSES AND PUT LIGHT OIL DOWN THE SHAFT TO THE CANNISTERS. Are THERE ANY BULLETINS OR OWNERS THAT HAVE WORKED ON THESE SYSTEMS. Looking FOR AMY HELP THAT I CAN FIND. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KEEP THIS SYSTEM WORKING ON MY CAR. thanks'. VIN

Vinnie; I think the seals and shafts in the canisters are the problem if you have replaced all the rubber hoses. I had to have new shafts made for my 42 and replace the seals. Almost works to fast. Also you should use Neatsfoot oil on seals in canisters.

Also you should use netsfoot (sp) oil on seals in canisters.

Neatsfoot oil if the seals are leather, or a quality vacuum oil if they are not.

Thanks O-D; My leather seals were in good shape. Vinnie you might check ebay 201529067053.

thanks, where did you get the seals? Did you have to do anything to the push pull vacuum switch under the dash? Vin

Vinnie; My leather seal were usable, I had new shafts machined and took the old seals and new shafts to motion industries- they just measured and supplied seals. I disassembled the vacuum switch and cleaned it and made sure to worked. It is just a sliding valve.
be very careful as it is made from pot metal. The switch body is also used on 40 Fords and some other makes. the mount is different on different years as I know the 40 and 42 are different.

Dell - Are you familiar with the convertible top balance springs on a 1940 series 120? I bought a 120 convertible and it is missing the balance springs and I have had no luck in locating replacement springs and I have emailed or called every part dealer I can find. If I had the spring length and wire diameter and the diameter of the spring and possibility the coil tension I could have some made. Does anyone have a suggestion. Thanks much for any help. Hugh

hi hughdean; i will be at my toy box tomorrow and will try to remember to get the D and length for you. as far as the tension goes i don't want to take my car apart. You might ask vinnie if he has his car apart will take it apart when he works on the vacuum cylinders.

Vinnie- There is a guy who advertises for vacuum tanks in the Cormorant. Different item than convertible vacuum actuators but he may have knowledge. Name is David Stewart, Longview, TX (903) 918-3726, dstewart1937@gmail.com. Do you have your top apart? I need measurements for top balance springs that are located in the well above the vacuum actuators. I can't locate the springs at any parts dealer and need to have some made. I need the length, diameter, and the diameter of the spring wire they are made from and tension strength if you can measure. Also what do the end hooks look like and how long is that hook from curve to main body? Can you take a few pictures? I don't even know what they look like. Thanks for any help you can provide I have been looking for these springs for 5 months and am getting desperate. Hugh

Thanks will do. Hugh