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

The hydraulic window system is actually very basic and not difficult to get working with the most expensive part in new cylinders and hoses, all of which are available as reproductions. Unfortunately working on a car like this does require somewhat deep pockets due to the scarcity of the parts.

The pump itself can typically be fixed easily yourself so shouldn't be any major expense there. It has essentially a starter motor with a typical armature, bushings and brushes and those things are probably available even at your local Napa store. I run these with ATF rather than brake fluid that they had originally so that if it does leak it won't take off the paint in the process. That said, finding the parts to convert it to crank might not be easy as the lifts are not the same as those in passenger cars.

Unfortunately the pump & motor assembly for the hydraulics is also missing, either swiped or sold when the car was in the junkyard decades ago. Doesn't leave any easy options. Noticed on mine that Henney welded on extensions to the inner door handle rods to compensate for the longer doors, so apparently they are longer still then production 2-doors.

Just looked at your '51 ambulance posts from a few years back. Believe it's even more of a challenge than mine.
Any progress updates since then?

I probably have some lifts with cylinders but they are from a 1954. Maybe the same but would have to be researched to be sure. I AM sure that the pump is the same but its mounting bracket is not although that can easily be sourced as it's the same as on a passenger car and I have several cores. Actually I believe that the cylinders are the same too but the lifts are different.

I'm not surprised about the welded rods in the doors but also the front fenders are specific to the Henney as they have a section welded in to make them about 5" higher than on the passenger cars. The grille also has an extra row or egg crate.