Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

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One minor correction to Don's post on the key. If the car is stock, doors and Ignition both use the round key and glove box and trunk the octagonal.

I would post a photo of my 56 engine but it is a Caribbean with AC so not much is visible and some things are in different locations. Don't have any good 55 photos but one place to see some engine photos is to go thru the photo archive. There are some engine photos there and another place to occasionally find some good shots is on ebay listings.

It looks as if the car might have supplied parts to other cars unless stuff is in the trunk. Almost all the heater and vent stuff is missing. On the engine the obvious is the oil filter but that was optional so you could get by without it by making sure the ports are plugged. I think you are missing the Ultramatic throttle linkage but can't see the rear of engine well enough to be sure. If you have two extended brackets mounted to the rear of each head with empty holes you are. That and the bent rod going to trans you will definitely need to find.

Here are photos showing part of the linkage and engine, another showing the dist.

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Howard is absolutely right about the key! I misspoke.

.x

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Ahhhhh... looking at the photos reveals a lot more. You've got your work cut out for you, but this has the potential to be a very nice, good-looking car if put back to original. But it will take work and time and cash. But first know...

? You are not really dealing with a Packard engine here (yes and no)... you are dealing with a Clipper engine. So... you can stop looking for 1955 Packard engine stuff and start looking for 1955 Clipper engine stuff... which is different.

? For instance, the distributor for a Packard would be AC-Delco. But for the Clipper it was Autolite. Same for the generator. Your carb should be a Carter instead of a Rochester. A lot of people do not note the differences in the electrical systems, carbs and other parts of these engines and get into all kinds of trouble with them. Just remember that Clippers had components that varied from Packards... and one size does not fit all.

? And I can see your transmission cooler, cooler lines, etc. are all missing.

? As for the alignment prong on brake drums, I have removed some many years simply by screwing them off, but not a good idea to remove them. AND, Buick wheels used the same alignment prong and so did Ford light truck wheels at one time. On my last visit to Pick-A-Part in Ontario, California there was a nice set of Buick wheels with the prong holes in them... just sitting loose. Cheap too.

? As for the keys... as I posted before... they used simple Briggs & Stratton key blanks...the reverse of GM. Jillions of these key blanks were made. Any good locksmith ought to be able to whip out a set in a few minutes. And should not be expensive. Already told you how to remove the ignition key switch. Doors are very, very simple too. There is a black flat spring steel tang behind your door handle visible when the door is open. Get a can of WD-40 or Liquid Wrench and squirt a bunch in the slot where this tang is... let it soak a couple of days and repeat. Then use a large blade screwdriver or even a wood chisel and slowly pull the tang rearward out of the door. When far enough back, it will release the door handle. Then disconnect the linkage on the handle and take it to your locksmith along with the ignition switch. Used to be a guy on Van Nuys Blvd. who made keys for me all the time... cheap!

For what it's worth.

I was under the impression that the 320s ran the autolite and the 352 ran the delco?. How could you tell it's a clipper moter or a packard motor. Kinda confused.


I also found a radiator with fan damage due to an accident. What do you guys think.

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Download this service counselor and it will have all the specs for 55. It shows whether a model was equipped with Autolite, Delco, and which carb was used when leaving the factory.
packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/SC/SC-VOL29NO1.pdf

The engine serial number list shows where to look for a casting number to identify which engine is in the car. Mostly look at the casting number on the top of the bellhousing. Note that there is a discrepancy on the 55 320 engine. One bulletin lists the casting number as 446521 yet some report the 1 is actually a 7.

I don't think you will have much luck with the radiator other than to use the tanks and cradle to have a new core installed. That core looks bad with that big gash and I'd be surprised if it holds water -- or at least if it holds when it gets pressure. If it is surface and only the fins that have been crushed and the vertical tubes are still intact then probably the fins could be straightened but it sure doesn't look good.

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Thanks alot Howard, have a good night.

Gerry

Pac sw will have everything you need.. Radiator..dist. Gas tank.

Other parts.