Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Dave, I think Keith is refrring to the holes in the rockers just above the pushrod that allowed oil to flow up and out and travel across the top of the rocker to lube the valve stem. If you remember I borrowed those 55 rockers from you to supply the valve stems with sufficient oil. They eliminated those holes in 1956 rockers.

Sorry Randy, I took it to mean the holes in the rocker shafts, which they changed at least 3 times it seems. But in any case I'd solve the 100 psi oil pressure first before I began looking elsewhere.

Got the registration form for Warren today, got it by calling the museum. Still contemplating going out for a few days.

Yes, Randys explanation is correct. I was refering to an oil hole in the rocker ARMS, not the shaft that they ride on.

Ok guy's,Oil pressure is back to earth, Damn pressure relief valve was froze solid!!Now I have 35 or so @ warm idle!!Thank's for all the input!! Back to the lifter/Rocker noise,I pulled the left valve cover where I determined the noise is coming from,or @ least the loudest and it seems as though I have sufficient oil flow. I think I have one lifter that Is not pumping up!!I ran out of gas before I got to thoroughly check each rocker.I sprayed a ton of kroil on top of all the lifter's on that bank! I will troubleshoot further in the morn. and advise!!I hope the kroil might free that sucker up!! Does anyone know of anything else to try short of pulling the head?? Also I did notice a little popping coming back through the carb.,that seem's to further the stuck lifter theory!! Thanks's!!!!

Glad the pressure problem is resolved, a stuck relief valve was about all it could have been. Kroil is great stuff but I doubt simply squirting it on top of the lifters will accomplish anything, you need to get something inside the lifter to have any chance of this type of treatment to work. There are plenty of snake-oils to try, years back two standbys were Alemite CD-40 and Shaler Rislone, there may be better ones today. But I wouldn't get overly optimistic that such things will solve the problem.

And you don't have to pull the cylinder heads to remove the lifters.

I was hoping for a more thorough oil pump inspection. Too late for that now.

Try running the oil level one quart over the full mark on the dip stick to stop the clatter problem.

If that doesn't work then hopefuly the problem is just a stuck lifter. If freeing up the lifters solves the problem then all is well.

If not then a worn oil pump shaft is notorious for the lifter clatter problem on the Packard V8's. I have a quick band-aide fix for that once all other issues have been exhausted.


While the valve cover is off, look inside of the valve springs to see if there are umbrella type seals riding on the valve stems. Check all of them. They should not have dropped down onto the valve guide. If the seals drop down onto the valve guide it will starve the valve for oil thus causing the valve to stick. This is dangerous because the valve can then hit the piston. Sticking valve will cause clatter too.

55clipper:

Does the oil pump have a vacuum pump on the bottom?????
How is the pressure relief valve retained in the pump???? There were 2wo different designs.

Owen_Dyneto:Yes i agree It is unlikely the Kroil will help from the top of the lifter,but I fig. It wouldn't hurt to try!!I will look Into the "Snake Oil's",but Im like you,not very optimistic!!I wasn't thinking very clearly @ 2am this morn. when I mentioned pulling the head's to access the lifter's...LOL Packard v8:Yes It has the vaccum pump on the bottom,I pulled pump apart,cleaned,and inspected,everything looked and felt great,Im pretty sure this Is a 27 year old new pump!!As to the type of relief valve and other question's about pump,I will include picture's i took,hopefully that will answer your question's!!Also when i pulled valve cover last night,I found the "pee hole's" on rockers that you mentioned!!I plan on troubleshooting more indepthly Shortly,I will advise later this evening...Thanks!!!

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ok. u have the 'first generation" pump. Not the LATE 56 pump. Did u measure the input shaft with the gear on it with a micrometer??? Is there a BRONZE bushing pressed into the bore of the pump for the input shaft or does the input shaft simply ride on the cast iron bore of the pump???

As for the pee holes in the rocker ARMS i am surprised that u did not report a long strong stream of oil shooting from the holes while engine is running.

If the lifters are only gummed up then the snake oil of your choice should clear that up over 100 to 300 miles of operation. If the clatter is not real bad then try the snake oil first. Also try over filling the crankcase by 1 quart of oil. Give the snake oil and the 1 quart over full a 300 miles chance to work. If it doesn't then we'll go from there.

While the valve cover is removed be sure to check the valve stems for umbrella type seals inside of the springs and their position on the stem. Poke at the seals (if any) with a blunt object to determine they are soft rubber or if they have turned hard like plastic.

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