Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Andrew, If I read all the above correctly I'm wondering if your 47 Custom Super Clipper indeed has the correct engine in it. All 356 engines were Autolite-equipped and as you have a Delco distributor and a non-356 Delco? starter, you might check your engine # to determne just which engine type is in the car.

Or perhaps I missed something in the preceeding comments.

PS - I'm reminded of a 47 Custom Super Clipper 2150 with blind rear quarter windows once owned by Bob Skop. It had a replacement 288 engine in it.

With the correct starter installed, I would think the first thing you will notice is how slow the engine turns over the first time you start it.
Wes

Andrew, If I read all the above correctly I'm wondering if your 47 Custom Super Clipper indeed has the correct engine in it. All 356 engines were Autolite-equipped and as you have a Delco distributor and a non-356 Delco? starter, you might check your engine # to determne just which engine type is in the car.

Or perhaps I missed something in the preceeding comments.

PS - I'm reminded of a 47 Custom Super Clipper 2150 with blind rear quarter windows once owned by Bob Skop. It had a replacement 288 engine in it.

Well, ain't that a kick in the teeth. You're right. I checked and referenced the engine number with the reference chart on this site and found that I have a 1954 inline 288 engine out of a Clipper Special. Probably out of an ambulance, because where the heck else would they get that starter from.

I never saw that coming.

But I don't think it's the same car. My car doesn't have blind quarters.

Either way, I guess I just found out that I was had.

Anyways, does anyone know where I can get a starter for a '54 Packard Clipper Special?

Starter for the 288 will be much more plentiful, and a lot less expensive too. Or really any Packard postwar starter will be fine. I've got a used, tested working MCL6003 you can have for a hundred bucks, or an assortment of other choices, not sure if I have any Delco's...but I do have a complete 356 engine if you really want to blow the budget.

O-D - are you psychic or???

PM sent.

Starter sent.

Starter received!

Okay,

I installed the starter and hooked everything up. The starter spins when I attempt to start the car, but there is no engagement with the flywheel.

What am I missing?

Sigh. Pull the starter back out and goose it with a battery and jumpers on the floor to make sure the pinion jumps out. On late model starters the pinion will actually not even go back unless the engine starts and flings it back, so to speak.

Then, take a screwdriver and poke it in the starter hole on the bell housing. Pry up on a tooth on the ring gear and make sure the ring gear is not just spinning on the flywheel. I have seen this twice now, and for no apparent reason other than the ring gear decided to crack at one point and then was no longer a press fit on the flywheel.

Ring gear is okay, I inspected it when he first starter went bad. Besides a few chipped teeth, it was still tight on the flywheel.

I am pulling the starter out again now to check it.

Could the selenoid be bad?