Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Trying to adjust the Rochester 4 barrel carburetor, as the exhaust was smoking a bit (Engine has 2000 miles and is not worn)and the car was bucking at slow speeds. Was told it was running too rich, so tried to adjust it a little more lean, and the adjustment screw broke off the face! Any advice as to find a new adjusting plate?

Could you please post a photo of the "adjustment plate'??
I'm very familiar with this carb but not with such a plate..

Does the car smoke blue(oil burning) or black (rich mixture)?? Smoking black while driving cannot be adjusted witht he adj. screw, that is for idle adj. only

It smokes a little black, looks like rich mixture. The plate is where the automatic choke is. The car originally came with a two barrel, and installed a manifold and 4 barrel from a 1956 Packard 400 in a junkyard. At the time had a shop install a carb kit. Ran great for awhile with lots of power, now bucks at low speeds and is lacking the power. Took it to a car show, and several car guys said it is running too rich. Maybe the carburetor should just be replaced. If you say Packard, the price doubles from saying GM ! Does anyone know what GM models this carburetor fits?
It is missing the tag, but stamped on it is the number 8610 with 4 Jet next to it.

It could be the automatic choke is not releasing or is adjusted too tight.

It could be the carburetor is flooding due to a leaking needle and seat valve or float misadjustment.

Either of these would result in loss of power, poor running engine, and dark colored exhaust.

A photo of the carburetor/broken part would be helpful for us to identify this problem.

(o[]o)

With the information you have supplied it is impossible fro anyone to determine the problem, and even what the problem is exactly. The carburetor number (the last few digits) identifies it as a 56 Packard carb for a senior car with 374" engine.

The remedy for a squeaky body is not to replace the body but to find the squeak and fix it. The remedy for a poorly running carb is to determine the cause and fix it. You could have a misadusted carb, a poorly rebuilt carb or one that is assembled incorrectly. Many other carbs will fit with some modifications but none will be calibrated correctly for the 374 and all may have the same problem or worse.

A competent mechanic can fix it no matter what car it is on just like one could fix a Delco generator on a Packard, Chevy or GMC truck. The commonality here is COMPETENT and nobody can fix it remotely.

The 1956 Hudson used the "Packard" 320 c.i. motor didn't it? I would think one from a 374 would be to much carb for it?

John

I missed that, 320" engines used Carter carb which is more efficent than a Roch. Either buy a rblt carter or have the 374 jetted down for a 320, COMPETENT mechanic and an exh gas analyzer needed.

Did Packard make a 320 in 56?
I thought only 352 and 374?

no 320's in 56