Packard Forum Index » Project Blogs

Well I Have gotten the chrome back from the plater. they did their usual excellent job. However as I stated earlier they could not do the tail light housings or the mirrors. I have left the tail light housing down at the powder coating shop and they will see what they can do until I an find suitable replacements. They are out there but they ar not cheap by any means. BTW there is a gasket in the housing where the red lense goes in. The chrome process as well as the powder coating will destroy that gasket. Does anyone know where I can get these or is there another suitable alternative.

Steele has the entire gasket set for 56-8 tail lights, their item 30-0460-15-- but also not cheap. Have also seen the thin narrow foam rubber weatherstrip available from the hardware store used.

On the floor pan drivers side, just before the gas pedal, about where the heel of ones foot would be, there is what I would call an access hole. The body shop, in their zeal to do a good job, tack welded a piece of sheet metal over it. Originally there was a round piece of sheet metal with 2 screws holding it down. This piece of metal was fairly well rusted though so I took it off. I did fail to mention to the body shop not to cover that and to just cut another cover. My question is this, what does that hole give one access to. I looked though it and saw no reason for it to be there. If there is, in fact no purpose for it, I will just leave well enough alone. Anyone know anything about this??????

If you're talking V8, believe that would be the fill access for master cylinder on manual brake car.

Kev,

Perhaps you could move this thread to the V8 Forum or merge it with AL's 1956 Clipper Hot Rod Thread, if possible?

my 55s have this hole, and i believe my 56 has it as well. i to would say that it for the non power master cylnder fill, but i cant be shure.

It's a hole to dispose of your "stash" before you get pulled over by the fuzz. This is better than throwing it out the window, they can see that...

Does anyone know if there are any statistics on how many Packards and clippers were built with standard brakes vs BTV??? (with in the year ranges that BTV was offered)

If that is the case then I would say that the hole came on all cars regardless of brakes because this car came with BTV power brakes and has the hole. Thanks all. I will no doubt leave it alone since I have no need for it.

Most likely the hole is on all cars. Probably stamped multiple floor pans at a time & doubt if they knew which floor stamping would wind up in a particular car when everything welded together.