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The evaporust was in for several days. During that time, I drove it a number of times and made sure it was up to temp for a least 30 minutes each time.

Looks like you got a good amount of gunk out. My car also runs just under 180 most of the time, so I think you’re in good shape!

As far as the shifting goes, I’ve found if I’m in 3rd gear by the time I’m going 20, I can just leave it there until I have to come to a dead stop. I generally don’t even downshift to second, just come to a stop then put it in first when it’s time to take off. I’ve found if I’m rolling 5 mph or faster, I just leave it in 3rd and ease into the throttle! I do downshift to second if I’m slowing down on a downhill, and don’t want to ride the brakes too much. I also drained the transmission and refilled with GL-1 mineral oil (I got mine from Napa) and that made a huge difference in how my transmission shifted, and sounded.

Thanks everyone. Based on the responses, my car is shifting just as it should. It does in fact go into 1st just as it should if I leave it in gear when I come to a complete stop. Shifting down though 2nd and then to 1st also works quite well.

In this case, the car was good. I just needed to learn to drive it correctly!

The next “project” for my car is new front coil springs. I’m just waiting for them to arrive. While I’m at it, I will also replace the lower support arm bushings and I want to replace the center steering crank bearing. It makes sense to do that at the same time as the springs.

Can someone tell me a modern part number for the center steering crank bearing? I’d like to have it on hand before we get started.

You’ll probably find wear on the shaft too so probably best to check one of the dealers for a kit. I recall for 1940 that the shaft was a bolt so when rebuilding mine, I made the bushings and replaced the bolt.

The bearing and pin appear to be sold separately, not as a kit. I can get the pin. I was just hoping to not spend $55 for the bearing. I’m guessing they are marking that up a bit.

Don, I used a NAPA 6203-FFA on my center steering link bearing. The post where I describe the work is linked here:

https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=16514&post_id=176163#forumpost176163

Thanks, Ken

I took the car for my first ever local Cruise Night and got Mom and Dad to go as well. I think Dad really enjoyed talking to people about the car. We had a lot of people interested and they loved Mom and Dad’s history with the car.

That is awesome! I love everything about that. So glad you can share that with him!