Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I have a friend supposedly selling me an original vent for reference, but if that falls through then I would be interested in one.

The blueprints are available from the proving Grounds, or the Studebaker National Museum. Was the dimple use to help clear the A/C switch?

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A possibility and just in case that is the purpose it might still be wise to include the old depression in the original location and add a second for the indicator light. Offhand, I can't think of anything else unless PghU's thought there might be something in the radio power supply section the depression is meant for is correct.

On the drivers side, without re-verifying location I kind of think from memory the AC rheostat falls just to the side of the vent. I say this because when building my system and converting to modern components I don't recall having any issues mounting one of my early experiments with having the original single knob also work a thermostat as well as the stock on/off and blower speed function. During that experiment I made a new dual purpose control section that mounted to the dash and then had a separate mount for the thermostat and on/off-fan components. Those were on a single and wider bracket that was in the same place as the original rheostat. Originally, was going to keep the rheostat hence the wide bracket but decided to try a smaller fixed speed switch. Still, don't recall any issues with the rheostat. That single knob idea was short lived when I decided it would be easier and more logical using a cable operated thermostat worked by modifying the heater temp control lever so that control could do both temperature functions.

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Thanks, that's what I'm working off of. Only Bruce had them. Had to spend like an hour just cleaning them up as most were literal blueprints (white on blue) and I had to invert, contrast-correct, desat, sharpen, etc.

Am curious if there is anything on the blueprints to indicate where the vent was sourced and if the vent was all Packard design or something Packard got from the company which made the actual unit and if it was intended for another purpose. The name Modern Aire cast so prominently in the vent yet apparently never mentioned or used in any Packard marketing would almost make you think it was designed for someone or something else and adapted.

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Yes it's most certainly Packard-specific in its entirety. The outlet cover drawing was signed off by Dick Teague but other than that, they were done by the engineering staff. I have no idea why the Modern Aire "trademark" did not appear in any Packard literature.

It appears that the parts were done by Michigan Molded Plastics. The plastic pieces were all made of the same molded phenolic resin; the cover and housing were painted dash color, with a gold finish applied to the letters; the rest of the parts were colored black. The hinge pins (both for the lid and deflectors) were phosphor bronze. The cover uses wool felt; the tie bar felt is a wool-poly blend (no idea why there is a difference). It may be noted that, except for factory A/C cars, the vents were not painted at the factory; instead, they were painted at the dealership to match the car.

Do the blueprints show any updates to add the dimple?
Or were there two part numbers?

There are some with and without the dimple.

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Yes, it was Rev B to the drawing. In the same rev they strengthened the hinges, and added stock to the top flange. If you mic yours it will be the same thickness all around. The later ones the top flange is thicker than the duct.

Rev C is to change the hinge pin from 5-40 thread to 4-40.

The original actually was a press fit 1/8" dowel pin instead of the screw pins, added at Rev A. So that is a Rev A housing.

So that must mean the depression is a later addition and is there for a purpose. If only for the indicator light then maybe an error and it was placed on the wrong side. Another possible reason for being on that "wrong" side was maybe the vents were originally supposed to go more outward on the dash. If that was the case then I could see that as a potential problem because a fully open vent would almost certainly be in a short drivers line of sight and also the front seat passengers would be more likely to block air flow to the rear seat. If there are general system prints it would be interesting to see the concept layout and what if any revisions might have been done.

What are the dates of the A/C approval, and each updates?

Seems like some quick fixes in a short period of time.