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Mal,
I have used a family toolmaking business at Blacktown a few times and they were willing to take on very small jobs which they completed promptly. Excellent workmanship and the latest equipment but not exactly handy to Wade's workshop. Call me if you want contact details.
David

Friday 26th November 2010

Yesterday, in my absence, Wade had washed and polished Old Red. And doesn't the old girl brush up well! All the grime, insects, dirt and suchforth collected on the way to and back from Kangaroo Island has now been removed leaving shining, sparkling surfaces instead. Wade has also loosely installed the front apron pieces that fit between the frame horns and the front crossmember on The Fossil. Additionally Rick was over at ABC Bearings yesterday and was able to pick up the missing bearing cup/cone for Old Blues diff rebuild. All that remains to come, so work on the diff can continue, is a new pinion seal. Once that arrives the pumpkin, pinion, hemisphere, crown wheel, seal and bearings(did I miss anything?) can be sent for assembly, set up and lapping in.

On to today, because Wade had an morning committment I arrived later than usual and rather than sit twiddling my thumbs, although I'm good at that, tidied up the hardware pieces I'd POR'd on Wednesday for the rear seat mount. When Wade arrived it was then into bolting the two pieces of the seat mount together, for the first time. Then it was into the back of The Fossil and the rear of the mount was screwed into place so the holes on the lower surface of the upright section at the front of the mount could be marked on the new piece of wood it sits on. That done the mount was removed from the back of The Fossil and unbolted again. Back into the back of The Fossil and holes drilled for the woodscrews required to hold the upright part the mount in place. Upright back into The Fossil and screwed into the wood. Because each side of the upright curves round at 90 degrees and the final screw at each side mounts through a steel strengthening plate into the woodwork below and also couldn't be marked the first time around, the screw holes required were then marked and, after the upright was removed, drilled. Upright then went back in, screwed down to the floor and then the top plate for the seat mount, was screwed into place to the steel floor along its rear edge. That left the front screws which connect the plate to the upright to again be installed, for the final time. Finally after about 2 hours work, with all fasteners screwed down or tightened up, the rear seat mount was in place.

Because Wade now had the the final pinion bearing cup/cone, next was knocking that into the pumpkin using a brass drift and hammer. With that task accomplished I left Wade and the guys to it because they were heading out to lunch at Eastwood Rugby Club. Would have loved to have joined them but couldn't do so today. Monday looks like we'll be doing a road trip to 1) See Harvey because he wants Wades opinion on the trans he's pulled from his '37 Super Eight Club Sedan, and 2) Call into some suppliers on the way there or back. And David, Wade has noted your post but at this point is still trying to locate someone locally.

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Monday 29th November 2010

Before getting to todays activities first I need to back-track to last night because the '41 Coupe became a star of the silver screen. What happened is this - A couple of weeks ago Big Bad Barry was contacted by the writer/producer/director/lead actor of a film she was making, and sought a Packard to be used in the film. Because Big Bad Barry's '35 is still recovering from it's Kangaroo Island Rally induced ailments, Barry forwarded on the request to about 10 PACA members including myself. Finally spurred on by my wife Kath and our grown up children, not to forget my ever growing ego, I contacted the aforementioned writer/producer/director/lead actor and offered the '41. The film being made is an entrant in TROPFEST 2011, The World's Largest Short Film Festival. Unfortunately I cannot say anything about the movie, before it's screening in a couple of months time. However I will reveal all at the appropriate time! I had been kicking myself for forgetting to take my camera to the shoot but it seems that it was for the best as I would have posted the pic's last night. Because today I received an email advising of the need to preserve the integrity of the production with any inappropriate disclosure before the Tropfest screening date resulting in immediate disqualification!

Then at the workshop this morning Wade tells me Big Red had been misbehaving over the weekend. On Saturday Wade and Gina had expected to be travelling in Packard style but that was spoiled by Big Red missing and carrying on. Wade ascribed the problem to a faulty condensor, again, and replaced it during the course of their trip. Only Big Red then wouldn't start at all. So back in went the other condensor and Wade, Gina and Big Red limped home. First up today, after removing the distributor from Big Red, it was around to Repco for a new condensor. They didn't have the right one available but ordered one in to be delivered early afternoon.

Quote:
Back at the workshop Wade took up David's offer and obtained details of the toolmaking business concerned, then we were off on our "road trip".

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First port of call was the toolmaking business, which is just around the corner from the plant that does the engine acid dipping and cleaning. There Wade explained his requirements to install a modern ceramic seal in Mat's '34 water pump as well as the maching required for part of the trans linkages for John's '39. As well, mention was made that there were another two different water pumps which also required machining work. David there is to work out a cost and call Wade with the quote in the next day or so. Then it was onto Harvey's where on arrival we were served toasted ham and cheese sandwiches, tea or coffee followed by chocolate mud cake, all made by Harvey's fair hand. With a repast like that, all I can say is I'll be back! Lunch over, it was into Harvey's garage to examine the trans out of his '37 Super 8. Wade examined the disassembled pieces on the bench and agreed with another opinion that Harvey had obtained that the 1st/reverse selector fork was loose causing the noise Harvey could hear. Fortunately Harvey has another selector fork to use as a replacement. Wade also suggested one of the bearings needed replacement as well. We then saw the various matters Harvey has been progressing on his '40 Willys, one of which was the trans on it as well! Then on the way back to the workshop called into Lee Bros for some UNF bolts and a box of flat washers. Then into Jaycar for some replacement switches for the engine analyzer, but they didn't have what was required.

Back at the workshop, while Wade went round to Repco for the condensor ordered in, I started cleaning up a pair of rear body brackets. Wire wheeled and bead blasted the old paint and rust off then prepped and painted with POR-15. During the course of this Wade returned sans condensor, it was now 3pm and the 1pm delivery hadn't arrived yet! Wade then turned to the distributor points, and these too need to be replaced so he'll be ordering some in, but not from Repco!

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Tuesday 30th November 2010

Late arrival at the workshop this morning, and after first tidying up the parts POR-15'd yesterday, took some pic's of green paint cards compared against the Packard green engines in the workshop. The cards had been forwarded by a PACA member who we'd advised of the Packard green paint code a few weeks ago. He'd had some paint made up but is concerned it is too dark. I think from the pic's, his fears will be allayed as the Packard green on the engines is definitely darker than the greens on the cards he forwarded. Wade also advised he still didn't have the condensor from Repco, apparently the shipping document arrived but not the part! Should be in today, along with another condensor which looks like it will fit, and Wade will chase those up later.

Then it was onto The Fossil. Now that the rear bodyframe braces are ready, the soundproofing for the rear of the body could be measured, cut and put in place. Apparently the original soundproofing was a glued on fibre or horsehair like material which had been removed during the body repair and painting processes. But instead of trying to replicate this a modern alternative is being utilised. Measured the large panel across the rear of The Fossil then cut a section of the sheet into a rectangle with a small cut out for the woodwork under the rear window. Fitting the cut section into place the cut outs for the wheel wells were accomplished in small segments in situ because of the difficulty in holding and marking these areas for cutting outside the body. Next was contact cementing the sound proofing sheet, this preparation was done outside the body. Then contact cementing the inside of the body, bringing the sheet into the body, aligning it and then pressing into place. That done the bodyframe braces were installed, by drilling and screwing into the wooden cross pieces under the rear window and into the wood at the rear of the under seat sheetmetal to complete that area. Left Wade cutting, contact cementing and adhering smaller patches of the soundproofing material to parts of the rear quarter panels. Granddaughters are needing some Grandparents time today!

And on my way out of the workshop had a call from starliner, Chris. Chris recently got his '54 Clipper Super Club Sedan on the road, see this post, and is very pleased with it, having put about 150 miles on it since the 25th. But what he was calling about is his '48 Standard Eight Club Sedan. The '48 is at a hot rod shop on the outskirts of Sydney and Chris is going out on Saturday morning to do some work on it. Because I'd previously expressed an interest in seeing it if I could, Chris was kind enough to call and arrange for my "viewing" of the '48 on Saturday. Should be interesting as I don't know of any other of these Club Sedans in Australia.

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Mal, it appears that '54 came from near here based on the license plate frame. "Villa Park" is right near Orange, CA where the PI Meet is held. If the car has two matching "black" CA plates, he could resell those to someone in Calif looking for a set of matching YOM plates. There is an entire market place for those on EBay.

Kev,

Here's an excerpt from an article from our club magazine, The Packardian, from earlier this year about Chris and his Packards.

"About September 2009, Chris bought 2 Packards in the US off eBay. First a '48 Club Sedan from Illinois which was described as being in very poor condition. The '48 was, and maybe still is, going to be built into a "woodie" because when Chris saw it on arrival it was in much better condition than expected, so now Chris is in two minds as to whether to build the "woodie" or not. The '48 is presently parked at a hot rod shop at Camden, about 45 miles south-west of Sydney, so was not viewable on the day Wade and I visited Chris. All Chris has managed to do is clean out all the filth and vermin debris from inside the '48 and the engine has been running since it arrived so that's a start. The other Packard purchased at that time is a '54 Clipper Super Club Sedan from California with 327 5 main solid lifter engine, ultramatic and upper cylinder lubrication system, alternator and converted to 12V. Chris is currently working on it and has rebuilt the suspension and brakes including the BTV, the motor runs well and when the body work is done will be registered for daily road use. Since buying these two Packards, Chris also bought another Packard off eBay in the US, this time a '53 Mayfair Hardtop from Chicago Illinois, 327 5 main hydraulic lifter engine with 4bbl, ultramatic and power steering, with a boot full of various "pullers" included by the seller, and which only arrived a week before our visit!.....Chris has also had the '53 running since hitting Aussie soil and it appeared to run well. Well, as well as a dirty carb and such will allow, but no expensive noises could be discerned. Not much has been done to the '53 besides taking off the carb for a clean or rebuild."

You're right Kev, it's a cliche, a California car! Didn't see a rear number plate on the car but that doesn't mean there isn't one.

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Wednesday 1st December 2010

Today's the first day of Summer here in Oz and in Sydney it was the wettest 1st December for 70 years. So much for Summer days! Be that as it may, in the workshop it's dry so Packard life goes on. Started by cleaning up the wooden frames that fit behind the lower section of the C pillar to hold and host the rear ash trays. Cleaned up the woodwork to remove 76 years of dirt and also cleaned and painted metal hardware and screws from these fittings. Meanwhile, while I was POR-15'ing, Wade was casting around for other rear interior pieces which could be painted as well. Came up with the upper mounts for the rear seat back. After Wade had cleaned and panel-bashed these back into shape they too were POR-15'd.

What next? Started on the right rear window glass. Wade had painted the metal window carrier after it had been re-glassed some time ago but ended up with some POR-15 over-paint on the bottom of the glass. Not my fault for a change! After carefully removing the over-paint next was fitting a piece of weather stripping to a small channel in the metal window carrier. Next was installing the window in The Fossil, but before doing that two pieces of bailey channel had to be measured and cut for the lower front and rear sections of the door. To complicate the installation prodecure, the window has to be in the up position before the two pieces of bailey channel can be installed in the lower part of the door. Rather than struggle to hold the window up manually a Special Packard Tool was employed for that purpose, see pic. With the "tool" holding the window in place the lower pieces of bailey channel were screwed into place. Then the wooden panel holding the window winding mechanism was installed in the door. After that there was a lot of fiddling to get the bailey channels properly aligned using packing to adjust the fit. Wade said when he was disassembling The Fossill, as well as the replacement body later, he was amazed at the amount of packing he found in areas such as this. I imagine it would have been a lot easier doing this on EGB by skilled assemblers knowing what they were doing rather than a couple of Aussies following their noses. Finally got everything there squared away and went onto installing the door lock and mechanism then topped it off with the outside door handle being fitted. Doesn't seem like much was achieved in installing a window, 2 pieces of bailey channel, window winding mechanism, door lock and the outside handle taking the better part of the day to do so. I'd think though that installing the windows in the other doors should take much less time after this pioneering effort.

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Thursday 2nd December 2010

More rear interior work today on The Fossil. First was re-assembling the brackets that hold the rear seat side arm rests. Their metal parts along with other pieces and fasteners had been POR-15'd yesterday. Once together started on the right rear side. The ashtray holder, which goes into the middle space behind the C pillar, slid in and screwed in place. Next was the arm rest holder which mounts in the bottom space behind the C pillar, but this didn't go back in as easily. Now it's the exact same piece that came out some years ago but because of partial re-wooding and some rust repairs to the inner mudguard(fender) it now didn't want to "assume the position". For one thing, the captive "nut" in that segment of the inner mudguard(fender) now didn't align with the factory hole in the woodwork! For another a piece of wood about 1" x 1" x 2", which the front end of the arm rest mount sits on and screwed to, was missing. It had been "lost", probably during the re-wooding process. And lastly a small section of wood had to be removed from the front because the lower door hinges, after the re-wooding, now screw through the timber into a metal plate. This meant a lot of in and out of the rear of The Fossil, especially for Wade, as each of this problems areas were encountered and then addressed. Sometimes more than once because of difficulties encountered and trying to keep to a minimum "modifications" to 76 year old Packard parts.

Next it was the left sides turn for the same treatment but there were additional problems to overcome. Least of which was measuring, cutting and contact adhesiving in place the sound proofing to the three small panels on that side. That done the ash tray holder was more difficult to remount. There's a slot cut into the wooden crossbar which runs between the C pillar and the next rearmost wooden upright into which the rear upright of the ashtray holder slides. But it wouldn't slide in, so a little clearance work with a thin wood chisel and problem solved. Then it was onto the rear arm rest mount but before it could be even trial fitted a fabricated metal brace/bracket made by the panelbeater had to be removed. But to remove this meant unscrewing the lower door hinge which penetrated the bottom of the C pillar and bolted into a plate forming part of this apparatus. Wade was loath to do this but with no other options, you could almost imagine tears in his eyes as he broke the paint seal on the screws as he removed each of them. For this exercise another "Special Packard Tool" was pressed into service. Apparatus out, the plate section to which the hinge screws bolted was cut out with an angle grinder, edges smoothed and the screw holes re-tapped, just to be sure. Another hole was drilled in the centre of the plate so a retaining screw could be added before the arm rest mount went back in. After all, if some reason you needed to remove a rear door, you don't want the hinge screw retaining plate to drop down requiring a lot of the interior of the car including upholstery to be removed to fix that. The 4 door hinge screws were also shortened by about 1/2" each to provide clearance for the arm rest mount. Only thing we didn't have to do for this side was provide extra clearance for the captive mudguard(fender) nut, this one was perfect.

Other things done, were 1) remounting of the upper rear seat mounts, 2) installing more sound proofing in the large rear corner panels and the small panels below the rear window, 3) Wade positioned the rear window glass in it's new Steele's gasket, rounded up the trim piece for the inside of the window and 14 new screws to affix it in place, and 4) "robbing" an old TV set of its speakers. Wade is going to install these in the vacant upper spaces behind the C pillar. They'll be well hidden, being behind the upholstery!

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Saturday 4th December 2010

Quote:Met Chris at Hot Rods by TJ, the rod shop where Chris's '48 Club Coupe is.
Warning! Warning! Warning!All true Packard believers avert yea gaze now, lest yea be struck deaf, dumb, blind and with the pox for what yea will now witness! A while ago I posted this - Quote: - and yea and verily it has come to pass, a "Woodie" it will be! Now many of yea know of my affinity for Hot Rods from times long past so I am not as appalled as others may be that this is happening. Before any sort of judgement is passed let it be said that Chris saw this car on eBay and it was offered a number of times without attracting a single bid. By his bidding, buying, shipping it to Australia he's saved it from probably a far worse fate of being crushed or being parted out. And the guy who's doing the work, TJ, is a very accomplished metal fabricator and customiser. A creation of his, Wild Cad, recently picked up the prestigious SEMA GM Designs Award, so it's in good hands. From what I saw today the creation of the "Woodie" is being tastefully done and I for one am looking forward to what should be the only 2 door '48 Packard "Woodie" in the world. Chris will be doing the woodwork on the car, appropriate because he is a carpenter! Also was able to see what else TJ is currently working on.

But there was a huge surprise when I arrived. TJ's Hot Rod shop is in an industrial complex and I saw a '60's T'bird parked in one of the other units further up as well as what I thought was a very, very shiny '46 Ford Coupe(turned out to be a '47!). Pulled up, saw Chris out the front of TJ's and he said do I want to see a '40 Packard 160 Club Coupe? Did I what? Turns out the guy with the T-bird and '47 Ford also has the '40 Packard! And here's where it becomes interesting, I understand that prior to today Chris didn't know of the existence of the '40 Coupe OR the collection of FoMoCo products until TJ took him over there prior to my arrival. And it turns out the Guy who owns the '40 Coupe bought it from an auction I attended earlier this year so I had seen the car previously but only from behind a rope. After the auction I followed up with the auctioners who put the buyer, AndrewB, in contact with me and eventually with PACA and of which he's now a member. I was pleased to meet Andrew and see some of his FoMoCo collection close up(he has other cars in storage and at home in the garage) and to hear about him and them. Noel you'll be pleased to know that Andrew took your advice and bought that correct air cleaner for the Coupe off eBay!

To view all the pic's I took today, see this Picasa Album.

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December 5th 2010

Received a couple of pic's from the film shoot last Sunday, taken using a mobile(cell) phone. The best one is shown below. Off shortly to PACA's Christmas lunch, Kath and I will be in the '41, Chris is bringing his '54 Clipper Super Club Sedan and Wade will be in Big Red. Weather is a little threatening so others may not afford themselves the luxury of Packard transportation to the event.

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