Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I think we have talked about this before but I couldn't find it to link this to it. I saw this on Facebook and thought how wrong this is putting the vacuum lines though the anti-thief numbers (I think that's what they're called.) Checkout the photo.
Wes

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Somethings just don't have a suitable answer or a rational reason IMHO.

I agree but I believe the washers were first available in late 46 so many were probably dealer installed. I guess with dealers you could get anything from great jobs to fast and dirty.

Not saying this one is 100% correct but I believe more so than running hoses thru the numbers. The grommet used here appears to be the same 3 hole item used on the left side with the 21st series vacuum antenna. 2 vacuum hoses plus the radio antenna wire thru that one so maybe they used the same grommet for a factory washer install or at least it was used in a decent professional dealer job.

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Here's a collection of different Packards. It looks like when a Pneumatic Ant was installed at the plant a grommets was used for the vacuum going to the push pull switch. But when the washer was added later it looks like they just used a punch to poke holes in the firewall. The photos are of three different Packards.
Wes

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Looking at the hole punch method I cannot believe the factory would have done that so I will go with the 3 hole grommet being what a factory install would look like and maybe the hole punch is a dealer quick and dirty.

No idea how common hole saws or large drill bits would have been in the day for that large grommet. Since there was probably some kind of flat rate time for the install can't see a mechanic spending much time to file out a large hole for the 3 hole grommet if he didn't have large bits so maybe the punches were easy to do in the allotted time. IMO not having a finish grommet is a bit unprofessional though. I think if I got a car back from a dealer with any of the punch holes I would be a bit miffed -- especially the one thru the numbers.

The SC article mentioning the kit that was available to the field for install in 46 models says the carton contains attaching parts but no specific mention of what they might have been.