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Wat is down for the count this weekend. Damn change-of-season headcold. KInda sucks.


I guess that we'll try again next week.

That’s what I thought too right after I got back home from my shop the last time in August. It turned out to be COVID even though I tested negative! My partner started getting similar symptoms at the same time and tested positive, then I did too when I tested again. Fortunately, after only a day and a half of total lethargy, we both felt fine the rest of the time until it was over. The worst was the antiviral drug that gave a constant bitter, almost metallic taste although food still tasted fine. Now, though, I think I have what they are referring to as Medium COVID with sneezing, coughing and fatigue bordering occasionally on lethargy which has slowed down my current work on my 1951 Henney-Packard.

Point is, if you think you have a cold and if you’ve not done so already, get tested! In any event, I hope you feel better soon!

Thank you. If it hangs around, I will.

Last weekend had no Packard stuff in it, but it did have some fix-the-house stuff. It also had Quality Fred Time. She has made herself a nest in the engine compartment of the '42 coupe. The hood is off and I tossed a moving quilt/pad on the engine. She has discovered it and worked it about to suit herself for sleeping.


This weekend was all Packard goodies stuff. The landlady had a medical procedure Friday morning early and was forbidden to operate heavy machinery for the rest of the day. After she got out, we scored breakfast and then hit the road for New Yawk. Picked up a 359 engine, complete with carburetor and manifolds, which means that Wat now has a surplus 4-barrel intake. Go figure. We also stopped in a city early this morning to look at a '54 Henney parts/junker with a complete 359. Price looks good. I measured the car to see if it'll fit my trailer. I think it will, but I need to measure it to be certain. Either way, it's @$$ will be hanging out the back.


Getting the engine off the truck was fun. We need to get a loader around here, and a proper hoist. The engine puller jack gizmo from Harbor Freight works fine, but it required a bit a lifting and juggling and letting down and repositioning and listing again and . . . you get it. So, after 90 minutes of finagling, it's in the engine stall and covered. The horses came to inspect to see what the humans were doing, but nothing smelled like peppermint, so they left.


Fred the cat literally hung around for the entire operation. I wonder if she doesn't trust the humans.

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Easy to tell it’s a 359 even without the proper aluminum head due to the long studs! The aluminum head is much thicker that the cast iron head.

Nice score!

Thanks.


The Henney will fit the trailer. And it has its aluminum head still intact. Wonder if it's any good. We'll find out next month, I hope.


Guy also has a '47 4-door six banger, a '55 400 coupe and a '56 Executive coupe. I think that he has to have it all gone by 31 December, if I heard him correctly. The Clipper is pretty good. May have to ask Fred if we should pull the trigger.

Went to Indy two weekends ago to pick up some miscellaneous parts from the guy I had scored the big coupe from. And some other cars. He cleared out his Packard stuff. And then he found some more. It wasn't, "here, I found more stuff I'll be happy to sell ya." It was, "you bought the lot, and I still have some of your stuff, so do me a favor and come to get it."


One has to admire honest and forthright people.


Part of the haul was a 92" tube of rocker moldings. Which is what fits the 127" WB cars. w000t!!! That stuff is a bear to find.

Competition for Fred?

Found this photo in a post on the AACA Forums.

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That's the cat I need! Hopefully that cat can tell the difference between a open end wrench and a box end wrench.