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The distribution tube is in the water jacket, and is not accessible from anywhere else except the hole behind the water pump. Mine was also stuck in there pretty good as well. You can run a piece of welding rod or thin flat metal along each side of the tube to help free anywhere where it may be stuck to the block. Then try to pull it out.

Also you can try to reverse the flush the block to see if that helps to loosen anything up.

Oxalic acid is also used for wood bleach, rust removal, leather work so hardware, home, woodworking etc should have it. Amazon.com does if you can't find it.

In addition to all the other suggestions to free it up, the service manual shows a small hook made of stiff wire inserted in one of the front holes to help pull. Along those principals, I would also make a long hook out of stiff wire and try to grab a few holes toward the rear. Just be gentle and not pull so hard you tear any of the holes.

I got the distribution tube out in one piece. Then I was able to clean the cooling system some more.

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Carefully check the end of the tube to make sure it's not clogged with rust scale. I had about 3" of it jammed in the end of mine.

Sorry for the absence of posting. Winter vacation and all.

As an update, I received the core plugs and head gasket from Maxx Merritt and had the head acid dipped, glass beaded, and magnafluxed/machined. I spent today re-assembling it with a friend.

I've taken a majority of the pieces off the car and have sandblasted and painted them, too.

Since I'm working on a budget, I've yet to buy a new condenser/coil or distributor.

Although, re-assembled, my friend and I tested for spark and I'm afraid there's no spark although it does crank.

Happy New Year to all.

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Any idea where I can get a replacement glass bowl for my Zenith fuel filter (see attached photo).

1" ID, 1.25" OD, 2" long, glass.

Max Merritt did not have it.

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Not sure about the Zenith but some have reported Tractor Supply or other farm stores have been a source for the small size Carter type bowls and ceramic elements used on most Packards. Tractors and other farm equipt apparently used similar. They might be worth a look.

Long time between posts again.

Last weekend I took out and rebuilt the distributor to include new points and condenser and finally, GOT SPARK!

Then I went onto dealing with the fuel system. I disconnected the fuel line from the tank and fuel pump and blew compressed air through it. It came through unblocked.

Soooo, I installed the new fuel pump from Max Merritt, put 5 gallons of premium into the tank but the fuel pump wouldn't prime. I added another 5 gallons of premium and some sea foam but it still wouldn't prime. Being OCD and all I added 5 more gallons figuring I'd be above 1/2 a tank at that prime but not prime.

This weekend I installed a cheap 12 volt electric pump but it, too, wouldn't pull any fuel from the tank (when mounted on the tank side, not engine side).

So I'm going to try to get it to sputter/run by running fuel from the 5 gallon can into the carburetor using the electric fuel pump.

To do so, I stuck the fuel hose down filler neck and pumped out gasoline into the fuel can.

With the price of gas at $3/gallon, I'm not ready to just dump all of the gas at the recycle point. I'm debating putting it into my 1989 Chrysler 2.2. Any throughts on the worst thing that could happen?

Any tips on ensuring maximum success when I try to start the car off of the electric fuel pump in the fuel can?

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You probably either a clogged pickup tube in the tank, or a pickup tube that rusted out above the level of fuel. Try blowing some compressed through the pickup tube with the cap loosely fit on the tank and see if that frees anything.

Just make sure you filter any gas you take out of that tank before using in another car. Dont want one clogged tank two turn into two.

If the gas is clean and smells like gas put it in your Chrysler. If it is dirty, murky and smells like stale varnish Oh Oh do not use it, it will gum up your engine and ruin it.

Suggest you use a motorboat gas tank until you take your regular gas tank off and clean it, seal it, repair or whatever you have to do.

Your Packard does not need premium. It will run better on regular than it will on premium.