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

Trying to make a tool for tightening and loosening the 12 water pump packing nut. Hard to get to because of the close proximity of the pump walls on around two sides of nut. Tried making one wrench from a closed end wrench. Cut open a small section to clear the shaft, and ground down outer edges to clear pump walls and all it did was to bend open the wrench. Any ideas on what kind of tool was used by Packard? Tried to attach a photo of the wrenches I have tried to make, but would not allow.
Thanks Todd

If you buy a set of service wrenches from Harbor Freight you should be able to grind one to fit. I don't recall the exact size offhand. Service wrenches are large flat open end wrenches. However, if the nut is stuck you will need to soak it in penetrating oil for a few weeks.

There was a specific Packard tool for that nut, maybe you can find a picture. I don't think I have one around here.

In the day of packing nut water pumps , special wrenches for such applications were common. I just looked on ebay and found some from 7/8' to about 1 1/2" . There should be one for you there.

You mentioned that a wrench you modifies just bent, suggest some heating with a propane torch.

Good luck.

Tried a couple of the imported wrenches, you need to grind the walls so thin to clear the side and bottom of the housing that comes closest to the nut they simply just bend.
I might need to try a good old american made wrench. If you look closely at the newer imported wrenches, you can see how porous the metal is. In my small machine shop grinding on old american steel is much harder than the modern stuff. Do we still have american steel? I can't find a picture, and talked with a couple old Packard people and they stated there was a tool but could not remember what it looked like.

The size is 1 7/16. Have looked on ebay over the years for packing nut wrenches, none that large.

MSC Industrial Supply carries offset pump packing wrenches in sizes from 3/4 thru 2-1/2 including 1-7/16. Whether or not it will work in your situation I cannot say. Also, Byron York reproduced some Packard water pump packing wrenches, for example for the Eights and Super Eights 32-36; perhaps he also offers the one for the Twelve?

If any of you have a 12 water pump you can see it is the amount of gap they give you between the nut and housing. Not sure I know Byron York. How can I look him up.
Thanks Todd

McMaster also has an adjustable wrench if it is not too big in other places.

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Byron York info.

Also should it prove helpful, one of the several water pump packing nut wrenches, P/N 172965 for the 8 cylinder engines of the late 20s and early 30s.

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I have several of the thin wrenches. And ground down one to just barely fit. Cannot grind any more, afraid the arms will become too weak and bend. The slip wrench looks interesting, for the price might give it a try.