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

help! Im working on a 1949 288.the distributor shaft has come out of the oil pump shaft. when i removed theoil pan there were pieces of what looked like a miniature bicycle chain. scattered on the bottom of the pan.where does this chain go and what is its purpose. can i get a replacement for it?

The only chain used on a postwar Packard I can think of is the timing chain and even if that was somehow broken it would look nothing like or be as small as a typical bicycle chain and certainly not be smaller than. Perhaps a photo if there is any question it could be something important that has broken in the engine. The only other chain I can think of was short lengths of ladder chain that was used inside some of the prewar Trico wiper pivots

Perhaps a length of chain was used in trying to fish something out but I am more wondering if perhaps someone like maybe a young want to be mechanic was thinking a few pieces down the oil fill tube would "fix" the car. A darker thought is perhaps your car was just an old car sitting somewhere or was previously owned by someone not well liked and neighborhood kids were up to a bit if mischief so instead of sugar in the gas tank, they thought dropping a few pieces of chain in the engine would do a better job.


One other thought. Some early piston ring slot separators or expanders for various type oil control rings can sort of resemble a chain but would not have separate moveable links. Any broken segments would be curved and only about an eighth inch or less wide or deep.

Post a picture, I'm super curious as to what you found.

I like Howards idea of the ring separator, but how pieces would get in the oil pan is curious.



Maybe somebody had made a tether for the oil filler cap and it fell off??

this is the second time i have had the oil pan off. these pieces of metal were not in the pan before.im really stumped on this one.thx for your reply.

it is definitely a chain of some kind .it has two master links like a bicycle.I think ill putthe engine back together and fire it up.the general consensu here is it is not normal equip for this engine.if anyone has any other thoughts,or if someone actually knows what it is,please let me know. thx for your reply.

You'd better take a look at your timing chain. It's made up of a great many small parts, and it may be coming apart.

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What, they weren't there before?!?! This is very interesting! We need pictures! Are you messing with us!?!?!

If your timing chain is worn to the point of disintegrating, then the engine will never run properly no matter what you try to do. Absolutely without a doubt you need to remove the timing cover and inspect the chain. You can get a new timing chain for under $100.

Do the pieces look like this? It seems like you're describing something smaller, but maybe.

yes. thats it exactly