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Thanks, Howard,
I found steelstamps.com by Argon Tool. Their "antique" font set is typewriter also like Infinity's. They will sell me a single letter I, like the Roman numeral 1, and individual numbers for $18 each. For $20 more I can have the entire antique number set, so ordered that. It's not exact, but it looks a lot more authentic than the $10 numbers.

Whatever region sells those should offer to stamp them, too, and include the fasteners. Not that hard, but a hassle and expense if you just need to do one.

Wednesday 6th July 2011

Missed the morning but, on arrival at the workshop, found that Wade had completed the left side of Big Red's engine. He'd attended a couple more water jacket cover bolts he wasn't entirely happy with. Removed them, checked the threads in the block, they were good, then cleaned, sealed and re-installed them. Filled the cooling system again, tried a pressure test and.....no leaks. Had also cleaned the oil filter housing, inserted a new spin on filter and re-installed the assembled unit using yesterdays MBM gaskets.

It was now time to move to the right side of the engine and return to fitting manifolds. First Wade wanted to determine whether the NOS exhaust manifold and the intake manifold aligned at the hot box join. Using new composite manifold gaskets, metal surfaced gaskets will be used for final assembly, the exhaust manifold was secured in place. Then the intake manifold was similarly secured. Result was an even gap between the two manifolds but about twice the thickness of the copper block off plate now being used. Solution? Another copper plate, but where was the length of copper sheet the first one was cut from? Fortunately Graham was at the workshop and as always if anyone will find it, Graham will. And Did! The copper sheet had been promised to somebody but hadn't been picked up yet and was hidden away behind some boxes. Cut the rest of the end of the sheet, marked out another plate on the end piece and Graham rough cut the new plate required with an angle grinder. Then I massaged the shape on the stone grinding wheel to better approximate the shape of the present plate. Also saved the offcut from the copper sheet, there's enough there for another 2 plates if required.

During my massaging Wade had received a phonecall from David at Anglade Engineering advising the '36 and '38 water pump machining had been completed. This resulted in a road trip to pick up the water pumps and also some shopping for workshop supplies. Water pumps picked up successfully then it was on to Hare & Forbes, machinery and equipment merchants, for the supplies. Only managed to source 2 items there instead of the expected 6. Then it was over the road to a large barn style hardware store, Bunnings, where 3 of the remaining items were acquired. The outstanding item apparently requires a specialist providor. But, if all else fails, Hare & Forbes did provide a lead to one if required.

Back at the workshop Wade set about re-assembly of the '38 waterpump but encountered a number of setbacks in doing so. However Wade is never beaten and when I'm at the workshop tomorrow, usually get to see the grand-daughters each Thursday but apparently not tomorrow, I'm sure it'll be well under way.

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Monday 11th July 2011

Another Packard run yesterday, this one organised at short notice but still had 5 Packards in attendance. It was American INDEPENDENTS Day, organised by a guy in the Hudson Club, and is held each year around the time of American Independence Day for cars of US automobile manufacturers other than the big 3. Biggest turn out was by the Studebaker Club, probably about 70 cars in total in attendance, see my pic's of the day in this album. Car of the day for me at least was a Railton. A what? A Railton, see this wikipedia entry. Seems to me it was the AC Cobra before there was a Cobra! I know, not US manufacture technically but there always seem to be one or two that sneak in. Besides we're all there to enjoy the cars that show up, and the Railton showed up! Harvey tells me it had a nice set of exhaust pipes but unfortunately I caught up with the car just as it was leaving for a 500 mile drive home.

Today though, it was down to the workshop. With Wade arriving just before me, he drove the Ute straight into the Workshop. Wade had finished his checking and rebuilding of the Crypton diagnostic machines components. Then after unloading, it was into the Ute for a road trip. Last week Wade had overcome the problems he found in re-assembling the '38 water pump and that had been shipped to it's owner. But, when turning to the '36 water pump a problem was found with it. The sleeve Wade had machined to take a rear bearing and a ceramic seal was the wrong ID for the seal's spring mechanism. Fortunately Anglade Engineering were able to fix it on the spot so it wasn't too dramatic. Plus we were talking to the owners father who is off on a 15,000km round and across out-back Australia trip in a group of 7 off road vehicles. Should be quite a trip! On the return trip called into Graham McDonald Services, a specialist tool supplier, where Wade picked up a couple of carbide burrs. Then, because we were in the vicinity, paid Harvey a visit! Harvey was working on his "new" '40 Willys together with his mate Ross. Ross was there to lend Harvey a hand with his welding skills because the Willy's left rear mudguard(fender) required work. Next, called into ABC bearings, where Wade obtained a better copy of the seal specification sheet which led to the incorrect ID being specified for the water pump machining. Also picked up a V seal, usually used on shafts like a slinger, but going to be tested as a lid seal for the canister type oil filters used on many Packards. Have found that the rubber gasket supplied with the filters now being sourced locally leave something to be desired. So will try this seal, after trimming off the slinging lip, hopefully as a better solution.

Back at the workshop found a welcoming committee of one being PACA member Wayne, wayne400, who had called in during his lunch break. Able to bring Wayne up to speed with the latest Packard news then it was onto re-assembling the components of the Crypton diagnostic machine. All together, plugged in power, switched on, and it lives! Wade has still to play with it familiarise himself with it as to how it operates. Turned then to the '36 water pump. The previous early 120 pump Wade had worked on caused some concern for the owner because there was a bit of play in the shaft after rebuild. These pumps have a bearing in the snout of the pump housing and little support at the impeller end inside the housing. To overcome this the sleeve Wade had machined, besides accommodating a modern seal, was also set up to accept a small roller bearing. So besides the double row bearing in the snout the small bearing near the impeller prevents any slop now. All went together well with the ceramic component of the seal pushed into the machined sleeve, the small sealed roller bearing fitted to the other end of the sleeve, the sleeve pressed into the pump body, the rubber/spring arrangement of the seal and the impeller and shaft fitted through the seal and small bearing, the double row bearing fitted into the snout, retaining circlips fitted for bearing positioning, an end plate fitted to the snout and the flange for the fan pulley pressed onto the shaft. Wade is going to call the guy tonight and ship the pump off tomorrow.

During the pump assembly Kevin, former Packard owner, and owner of the Daimler V12 in John's section of the workshop, arrived. Couldn't talk to John about the Daimler because John was up to his armpits in installing a transmission into a Ford Pickup. So until John was free Kevin observed the water pump re-assembly. There was a comment in there that instead of the Daimler maybe he should have bought another Packard, that way at least he could have had work on it for him!

After the pump was finished, removed the trial fitted intake and exhaust manifolds from Big Red for some therapy on the NOS exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold being in a semi-finished state had already received some attention to enable the air cleaner mounting bracket to be fitted. Now it was the turn of a number of the stud mountings because the uneven surfaces a number of these prevented the retaining nuts/bolts fitting square to the surfaces they mount against. Only four presented a problem and that's where the carbide burrs came in. In an air tool fitting they are great, allowing metal to be removed easily and cleaning up the surfaces. Left Wade washing down the right side of the engine prior to the manifolds going on tomorrow.

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Tuesday 12th July 2011

Another day, and another road trip. Shortly after Wade arrived at the workshop we were off again. Earlier though, while waiting for Wade to arrive, I'd tidied up 1) the second copper hot box block off plate and, 2) the exhaust pipe flange I'd missed in cleaning up surfaces a little while ago. When Wade arrived, first thing was to box and package the '36 water pump for mailing back to southern Queensland. That done into the Ute for a trip to Ralph Moore Autoglass to pick up The Fossil's rear window which Greg had sealed into the rubber gasket. Greg had made a plywood frame into which the glass and gasket fitted for curing purposes, looks like he's done this before! Then on the return journey mailed the water pump.

Back at the workshop first up was a trial fit of the glass/gasket in the rear window of The Fossil, looks good! Will require some ever so slight trimming of the side rubber, so it fits in without hassles when the time comes. Turned then to Big Red and the exhaust manifold replacement. After coating both sides of the manifold gaskets with Silcone sealant they were slid down the studs and the manifold installed. Seems there was one manifold mount we missed yesterday with the carbide burrs. Once on finger tight could get a spanner(wrench) onto the nut but couldn't turn it! Solution was to create a Special Packard Tool in the form of a ring spanner being ground down to obtain enough clearance between the nut and the manifold to be able to operate the spanner. This Special Packard Tool will henchforth be carried under Big Red's front seat in the unlikely event it's required. Hopefully, it wont! The exhaust pipe was also hooked up to the the exhaust manifold necessitating Wade to go under car to a) loosen the exhaust pipe bracket to allow for some wriggle room and. b) tighten up the exhaust flange bolts, it's easier from underneath. Seeing Wade was down below the opportunity was also taken of draining the oil, especially since the filter was replaced last week, tightening some bolts showing evidence of oil weeps, then cleaned the sump(pan).

Noel, Wade tells me he has a radio box for you which Tony is going to paint, and although we haven't done anything to the '39 yet save take off the rear wheels and brake drums we'll see you at the workshop tomorrow. A little aside. There were 6 Toyota/Lexus Soarer sports cars at the workshop this morning, outnumbered Packards 2 to 1!

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Wednesday 13th July 2011

Spent the morning getting the intake manifold back onto Big Red. First up Wade drilled holes in the copper block off plate that replaces the hot box gasket between the manifolds. Then a trial fitting and visual inspection for alignment of the bolt holes viewed from beneath the car. Turns out the NOS exhaust manifold doesn't align exactly with the intake manifold, that's what you get when you start mixing and matching. Solution was to drill out the holes in the exhaust manifold, not by much but enough to provide a good fit for the bolts. Silicone sealant was then applied to the copper plate and it was placed on the exhaust manifold. Then using a different Silicone sealant, one resistant to fuel, the inlet manifold gaskets and the top of the copper plate were coated, the manifold installed and the fasteners tightened. Finally the carburettor, linkages, fuel and vacuum lines were installed or re-connected. Necessitated a MBM gasket for the vacuum line on top of the inlet manifold. The sump(pan) had also been filled with fresh oil, so all done Big Red was brought back to life. Running well with no water or oil leaks, but this time a fuel leak! Was leaking from the gasket around the glass bowl. That's where I left things, unfortunately missing Noel, but my cold had developed into an ear ache and I wasn't getting any better.

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Quote:

Mal, are you feeling any better or do we have to ask Wade to examine your ears using the Crypton diagnostic machine and to drill out the holes in your nose, not by much but enough to provide a good fit for the bolts of a special manifold gasket? Take care!

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for your concern Gerd. The middle ear infection is being treated with anti-biotics and I am slowly coming good. Although Wade is a terrific Packard mechanic I wouldn't want him performing diagnostics on me!

Monday 18th July 2011

Just a pit stop visit to the workshop this morning. There found Wade has Big Red back on the road, and went for a run on the weekend, with only minor problem being with the automatic choke. Wade has also started on Noel's '39 by dropping the tail shaft out. This necessitated use of the Special Packard Tool fabricated last week for Big Red's exhaust manifold nuts. Reason being, with the '39 stuck in OD, one set of the front uni joint bolts was at the top of the tunnel and almost impossible to reach. However the ground down spanner did just fit and provided enough turn although in very small increments to undo the bolts in question.

That's all the workshop provided me with today, but there are other stories being:

Cadillac V16's
Yesterday, after returning home from a Packard Club committee meeting, found an email from a guy in Perth, Western Australia, saying this:
".....I was looking at photos on Picasaweb and saw your photo of the workshop visit (I think 2009) showing a 1930 V16 chassis being converted to a V8. I'm currently looking for a V16 chassis to do a genuine restoration - I've got many of the parts include the V16 engine. I'm a member of the Cadillac LaSalle Club of American and here in Australia. I was hoping you might know who the owner might be to see in the off chance he would consider selling it. I'm sure I can get a 1930 V8 chassis which is slightly shorter. Thanks for any help....."

He'd found the Picasa Album #'s 111 -> 120 of pic's I'd taken during PACA's visit to Sydney Vintage Car Restorations in the course of the 2009 Packard National Rally. I responded of course, not just to try and help another old car guy out but because my curiosity had been aroused, with a link to another Picasa Album and this:
".....A couple of months ago on a visit to Vintage Motor Garage @ Central Mangrove I saw a V16 and a V8 Cadillac undergoing building of new wooden bodywork. Was told these were from WA, which begs the question are they yours? Reason I ask is that I'm curious(alright I'm a sticky-beak) and I'd also like to gain your permission to mention this in my Project Blog (link here ->packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb ... at&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=760 Page 77 Posts 769 and 770 refer to that visit) as a follow up and point of interest. Of course I'd keep your identity anonymous. Please let me know if it's OK....."

To which I received this response:
"......Yes I flew over a couple of weeks ago to catch up with Jonathan. That's my roadster. I don't have a problem mentioning anything - do go ahead and put whatever into your blog. I'll click on your link when I'm at a computer. Thanks for the reply and thanks for putting up the photos! All I did was do a search in picasaweb Cadillac V16. By the way VMG are about to start skinning the body....."

I also sent this:
".....I have attached a draft of an article I penned about The Packard Club visit to SVCR at Crookwell in March 2009 during our National Rally. In it there is some mention of the Cadillac conversion from V16 to V8. Looks like if you and the other Cad owner can get together it might work out well for both parties. And Gil, his wife and sons at SVCR are all decent, friendly people....."

With this response:
".....Fingers crossed however I noticed on the website that they are further down the track on this project. The body is now on the chassis by the looks. But no harm in asking the question....."

Amazing the connections that can be made on the Information Superhighway! Here's a link to the VMG Site, lots of pic's of Philfrom Tassie's '26 in the Projects link.

Peter Packard
About a week ago Noel had sent me a note and a link, which I finally managed to access after some difficulty, to see a pic of Peter and Ann Packard(Toet). I'd known for some time that Peter and Ann were in the midst of organising a motorcycle exhibition in Canberra and the picture related to that event. What I didn't know was that it'd be coming closer to home than that because Canberra is about 170 miles south of Sydney.

Then yesterday an email from Peter and Ann following the opening of the exhibition on Saturday:
".....Here is a link to some photos to let you know what we have been up to over the last few weeks. We even had good coverage on the local ABC news and a good attendance at the opening.vvcmcc.org/ ....."

So I opened the link, perused the pic's and there was Peter clothed in a Packard Rally shirt and sporting his PACA name badge as well. Shot off a reply to Peter and Ann thanking them for the link and for promoting Packards as well. Some little while later switched over to ABC TV to catch the weather forecast for the next day and who was there? Why, the motorcycle exhibition and Peter and Ann being interviewed at the opening the previous day. Great consternation and yelling on my part resulted in Kath being able to see Peter and Ann on screen! And yes, in all the confusion, any interest in the weather forecast was forgotten.

The Snodgrass Award
What's that? This, from the PAC Site explains what: "The Bill Snodgrass Awards are given each year at the National Meet to the Region whose News Bulletin has been chosen as winner for the previous calendar year. A Senior class called "Continuing Excellence" (indicated by "*"), is for those who have won a First place for two consecutive years. The award is named in honor of Bill Snodgrass, who worked tirelessly in the early years of the Club, and who re-founded The Cormorant News Bulletin, and edited it for many years. The award is based on many things, among them: regularity, punctuality, quality of printing, publicity of future and past events, technical and service articles, classified ads , creativity, use of pictures, human interest and togetherness. In a word, the award is to give recognition to the Regional publication that, by exhibiting the best qualities possible, provides the maximum in service for its members."

Yesterday, Jeff or PAC052, the editor of our Packard club magazine The Packardian was presented with this award for his efforts in not just maintaining an excellent magazine but continuing to improve it under his editorship. Congratulations Jeff! The award had been picked up by DavidM from George Hamlin, PAC's VP International, during the course of the Euro Packard Meet in France last month.

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Link to Peter and Ann's TV Interview.

Excellent interview