Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

In the next few months we'll be looking at a 1941 Packard with hydraulic window controls. I can see metal hydraulic lines but the pump is missing. It needs the horizontal style pump and I believe it is mounted under the car on the frame rail. There is some sort of connection (Tee-possibly) under the drivers seat and I'm not sure what went there because there is a gap of about 3" between the two metal lines.
Other than the vent window all windows are non-operational.

Any info about who might have a pump or a diagram, testing procedure...etc. would be most appreciated. I would like to keep the car as close to original as possible.

Thanks in advance,

Bill

No ideas on where you might find a pump and I doubt it will be easy. Postwar pumps are different and even with the pumps used by other postwar mfgs being almost identical, the postwar pumps can also be hard to find. If you do find something Hydro-E-Lectric MIGHT be willing or able to work on it as they do work on the postwar type. I have not checked prewar cylinder availability but they do repro the postwar cylinders. No idea if they would be able to supply the prewar cylinders and there is a good chance yours will not be in great shape.

The prewar system, pump and operation is quite different from the postwar hydraulic windows in that the prewar pump was reversible and ran both directions to hydraulically operate the window both up and down. Pump sent fluid from the storage tank to push the window up and sucked it back out along with using a spring to assist in lowering. Postwar pumps ran one direction to push the window up with only a spring and gravity being used to lower them.

There are a few prewar service letter articles that covered various parts of the windows. There is a wiring diagram and theory of operation covered in a couple of them. You might get a few troubleshooting tips reading thru the others. The service letters can be downloaded from the literature archive. Go to the 37-42 BODY category and toward the bottom of the page there are 6 articles pertaining to the windows.

No idea on what the plumbing under the seat might be for unless it is just a junction point for the tubing going to windows. I could be wrong but don't believe the hydraulic power seat that was usually part of the postwar window system was available in prewar models.

Many years ago a very good friend restored a 42 formal sedan. The car was sold to Custom Auto then resold and went east and I am sure I have seen it on this website. Clarence replaced the hydraulic system with 6 volt electric lifts from a Mercury as I remember. He found that the original pump unrepairable and after several trips to Hershey gave up and went electric.