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I'll look for a spring

Any small compression spring, preferably bronze or stainless, with enough tension to hold the element against the gasket and wide enough to prevent wobbling should do just fine.

I did not mean to critical, it just looked green to me.The engine and frame look spectacular.

I have to admit that I am simply awe-struck at the work you and a number of other owners are doing with respect to re-building their cars. The attention to detail and the craftsmanship you guys are achieving with your cars is an inspiration. Here I am, patting myself on the back for being able to re-build a brake system and some of you are taking your cars down to the bare frame and re-building them like new - or better.

My hat's off to you guys and I can only hope to scratch the surface of what some of you have accomplished!

Henry, your chassis should be the star of the show at Salado. Be sure to bring plenty of paper towels to give lookers to wipe up their drool. Your progress is sure and steady; although, you may probably feel differently. You are doing inspiring work. One comment about the engine: should the draft tube be engine color? The one on my '55 Super was/is black. See you in a few weeks.

(o[]o)

Quote:

That's the spirit that'll help keep you going on a project like this!

Looking at the engine detailing, I can't help but think that this is the way Packard would've built a car back in the "coach built" days... one perfect nut and bolt at a time. And a lot of loving detail no one would ever see, like the polished inside of your oil pan. It's rare to get to see automotive assembly craftsmanship like this, so thanks for the photo record as you put it together.

Thanks everyone for the great feedback. it sure does help me keep going when i get down about it. after all the coach built comments, i'm not sure i did that great on my power steering pump rebuild. i did wire brush off that paint overspray. i had to paint over the powdercoat because i spilled acetone on it like a total moron. i was opening a new can of acetone to clean out my paint gun and splash it spilled, ruined my powdercoating on a few parts. some i was able to salvage using NU Finish scratch remover, others i couldn't so i just painted over it with high temp engine paint. can't tell any difference. i would just get them re-powder coated, but i don't have that kinda money anymore.

also notice the bearing retaining clip....you can tell the old bearing was rotating in its bore as it wore down the clip. i flipped the clip for now, but will replace with an axial retaining clip as pictured below. i just need to source the right size. but i did find a company that lets you customize your own. see link below.

JW, i'm pretty sure it is supposed to be engine color. see the pic i found of a super/deluxe motor. mine didn't have any paint left on it, but i just assumed it was engine color. i just guessed, but i'm thinking my guess was correct. either way...black would be a cool contrast.

enjoy the pics of the pump rebuild, although i may take it back apart and clean it up better. it's kinda bothering me now.

if you want to go with MAX for the rebuild kit, it will be all together, but alittle over the price you would pay for getting the parts individually and the metal seal ring is too big, i reused my original as it was good and did not source the correct size, so i'm not sure if the one from MAX really works or not. i haven't found the shaft seal yet, but here are links to what i have found, all the rest are just plumbing supplies....like O-rings etc. they aren't flat seals like original....so i'm hoping they work. i have no way to test.

for other misc power steering pump parts, like the correct lid seal and a new level check cap, go to the link below for thunderbird parts. thanks to PORTLANDON for the link and help on that one!!

i do plan on painting the level cap black. the bolt for the lid i used a new SS with SS washer. the seal for that bolt i had to drill the hole out to fit the bolt. 5/16 hole. all the bolts on the pump body are SS also. 2 are supposed to be 1 3/4" but i just used 2" on all 5 as i didn't have 1 3/4" and SS is spensive.

also, i recommend a program called fotosizer....the BEST photo resize program i have ever used. i resized 51 pictures in about 45 seconds. drag/drop/option/resize/done

bearing

pump filter

o-rings by a friendly hardware store

customize your own retaining ring

thunderbird misc pump parts

photo resizing program, better then Irfanview imho

KevinAZ check your PM.

thanks,

Hank

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Nice work on the Power steering pump Hank. Is it only me or did the 1955-56 Packard have a sign on the Power steering pump telling about using right fluid in it? Or im on the wrong side of the tracks.

i haven't applied any of the stickers yet, but i do have them.

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is there something out there alluding my grasp that shows the proper placement of these decals? so i make sure i get them right. i have been looking through literature for a few minutes now.


go back to page 109 for pics of the power steering rebuild.


Hank