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

Hello guys,

I removed the head from my 359 i had to get in there i suspected a hydraulic lifter fr ticking when hot. I did a compression test and after that a leakdown because a low compression on cilinder 3 with a leaking exhaust valve. And had a thougt that the car could have a leaking head gasket. So after a very hard time getting the aluminium head loose it was corroded solid on the studs... I got it off and now want to start checking valves and lap them a bit and get the lifters replaced and all the good stuff. I checked but there must be set a clearance between a lifter tool and stem of the valve. But i cant find this tool anywhere.
Can someone help me get a packard j4540 tool or know exact dimmensions or a way to get the gap right?

I had 25 of these made back in the 1970s still have a few left. I've been regularly disappointed when the folks I've loaned these to fail to return them, but if you PM me with your postal address I'll try one more time. I'll provide the gauge plug, you'll have to provide your own feeler gauges.

would you like to sell one of these tools? thanks!

Max Merritt sells that gauge, too. The listing says it's for the 327 engines with hydraulic lifters, but it's also labeled as "J-4540." I bought mine from them, worked fine!

It's just a cylinder?

It is just a solid round metal rod of precise dimensions. It temporarily inserts in the tappet in place of the hydraulic lifter to provide a fixed point reference for measuring clearance when adjusting valve stem length. There are two different gauge tools with different sizes, one gauge J2553 which includes a go/no go feeler gauge set for the 356 engine and the J4540 for the 288/327/359 engine. I have some maybe dimensions for the later engine but not for the 356. Numbers I have for the later tool are a bit faded but looks like .517 x 1.173. If anyone has the tool and can confirm it might be better.

Someone might be able to do a forum search here or at AACA because it seems to me these gauges were discussed many years ago and dimensions for both might have been mentioned during that discussion.

I have a gauge that I made back in the '70s (I am a journeyman prototype machinist) and for some reason I had made it double-ended but don't recall the purpose of the two ends! I never had a 356 so wouldn't have made it for that but would like to use it again if I can figure out how.

For the 327/359 engines I can confirm Howard's dimensions, 0.517" x 1.173", give or take a thousandth or so. It's just a simple cylinder, easier than turning to 0.517 is to just make to length from 33/64 drill rod.