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Yeah the door handles are annoying. Once they come off it seems they don't want to stick back on again.

I would suggest using a coarse file to add some wear or light grooves exactly where the end of the clip is supposed to end up on the square boss out of the door. As well as pulling off the clip and gently expanding the spring a bit so that it has more holding force.

Apparently Packard had some tool to assist at least on getting them off, but I don't know how much such a thing would help. Does anyone even have one? (J-5981)

Cause people use the door handle to close the door

Craig drilled a hole and used a set screw.

That's must be the link

In addition to the vibrator possibly starting to work ( if it is working you will hear a faint humming or buzzing sound when radio is turned on) another issue could be the antenna or lead in wire. If the antenna mast is grounded or lead in wire has been damaged so center conductor is touching the grounded cable shield or if the antenna plug is not tight in the radio or antenna connection that can also be a reason for no sound coming from the radio.

As to the J 5981 tool for removing the door handle clips, I have not seen any of the real Packard tools but it would probably be easy enough to make something by cutting a notch in an offset or bent putty knife that is a bit wider and has a 1/4" or so longer depth than the square shaft. Smooth or radius the corners and edge of the putty knife so they do not catch on upholstery or scratch the metal panels.

There was an older K-D tool I think is mostly for the GM curved spring clips that will work. The one I have is a K-D No. 43 which is an old number and may be superseded or obsolete. It or something similar might still be found on ebay.

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Thanks for the info Howard. I'm thinking of making one sometime.

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Here you go let me know if you need any other angles.

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Here is from passenger side

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Interesting. Seems easy enough to do and does not appear to give up the vent. Wouldn't work with factory AC but for the other cars looks like a decent approach.

From the photo it looks like they cut holes in the firewall above the vent and mounted a shortened universal pedal assy and reinforcing plates. The booster rod and mounting bolts extends thru the firewall. Cannot tell if anything under the dash had to be sacrificed except maybe the fuse holder was moved?? Is the heater/defroster plenum intact?

The universal hanging pedal assy looks like it might have been cut off somewhere above its pedal and most of the arm welded or fastened in some way to a modified stock arm and pedal keeping the Packard pedal in the regular position. The added length from the pedal pivot above the booster takeoff point plus the regular length of the Packard arm provides a good ratio.

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Maybe a dumb question: what lamps/lightbulbs fit in here?

Also can anyone take a photo of their glovebox opened. I have the glove box lock connected to the glovebox door but it won’t stay up. I believe I’m missing the striker (the top part that the lock connects too). None of the lock shops in town seem to have anything. I’d assume a hardware shop might have something that would work. If anyone could send me a photo to match that would be awesome! Thank you.

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Here is the bulb and fuse chart printed in the owners manual which you can download from the literature archive. The backup lamp is a 1073.

The glovebox has a thin stamped hardened steel catch or striker plate screwed onto the upper edge. The hook on the glove box latch catches the striker. You will probably need to find someone with a parts car to get the factory part. PSW might have one or try Mike Dulinski.

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Howard - you’re an absolute legend!! Thank you!