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I just went and checked with two new valves - the valves all slide in to the new guides smooth, the intake a little bit tighter than the exhaust (as expected since the stem sizes are different so there is 0.002" clearance for the intake and 0.004" for the exhaust, according to the manual), but I can slide both of them up and down with little effort.

Well, just to be safe I ordered that reamer (and some valve guide brushes just for good measure), and will take care of that this weekend, also hopefully final lapping of the valves.

I've done dozens of valve guide replacements on Packard engines, bought generally from Egge, occasionaly from Kanter. Though I was always prepared to ream for proper clearance, I almost never found it necessary.

Thanks! Well, the tool is coming so I'll be able to do it, though as I said the valves slide pretty freely. Would there be some reason NOT to do it? I was just planning on turning the reamer by hand.

As long as you have the proper size ream, no reason not to use it.

Good evening!

I’m in need of tool J-4540 and I have repeatedly tried to get to the website for Packards of the Northwest, but get bounce-back that server cannot be found. Can anyone advise an alternate way to reach them to find this tool or alternate source or even a drawing for the tool?

Thanks

A couple of notes:

1) I noticed that Max Merrit nows sells this tool (for $30) on their website, look for

J-4540R

HYDRAULIC VALVE LIFTER GAUGE

2) Here is the website for Pacific Northwest Packards:

I checked it and it still works.

pnwpackards.com/

There are email addresses in the contact page.

3) If you buy a new lifter from Kanter it comes with some instructions on how to turn the new lifter itself into a gauge by disassembling it, IIRC.

And for what it is worth, a few years ago on one of the websites someone posted a diameter of .577" and length of 1.173" for the tool. If anyone has one maybe they could confirm these numbers so if someone wanted to make their own they could. I believe this is for the 288/327/359 tool and the tool needed for the 356 engine is different.

Yes I believe the one for the 356 engine is different - it is also sold by Max Merrit under a different part #.

Max sells two different versions of the J-4540 tool, a reproduction and what I assume are NOS. They look the same on the pictures, and don't look quite like the one I got from PNW, which isn't simply a cylinder, there is a section on one end which is relieved, so you can only put it in one way (ask me how I know).

I'll post a picture of that when I get down in the basement this weekend.

Good morning!

Thank you so much for the quick response! Such a wealth of information and help in this “community”!!

The website address for Pacific Northwest Packards is totally different than the one listed on the Old Ride site, hence the bounce-back I was getting.

I checked Merritt’s and they list the 2 different tools, but the listings state they are for 327’s. Am I to assume 327’s and 359’s the same?

Last, if the dimensions mentioned can be verified, it might be quicker to make than buy.

Thanks again for ALL the insight and help!

Mark