Packard Forum Index » Project Blogs

Thursday 26th June 2008

Not at the workshop today but, after dropping Kath at her sisters, went over to Lidcombe to General Auto Electrics to see about getting the sending tube and bulb for the temperature guage repaired. In my heavy-handed way, somewhere along the line after Wade had undone the head fitting, I've snapped the capillary tube at the base of the reservoir bulb! I've now got some food for thought with options, as explained by Daniel there of: 1)Repair by sending the unit to Melbourne at a cost of approx AU$250, 2)Replace with an underdash capilliary guage at a cost of approx AU$150, and 3)Replace with an underdash electric guage at a cost of approx AU$75. At this point I'll explain why the tube and bulb can't be repaired in Sydney. Apparently a couple of years ago the Occupational Health & Safety people audited all the repair shops. And one of the things that got canned as a result of the audit was repair of mercury filled guage mechanisms because you need a fume extraction cabinet/equipment to do the job safely. Because most shops would need to do only 1 or 2 of these type of repairs occasionally none have invested in the equipment required! Need to talk to Wade about this before I make a decision one way or the other. If I do go for an accessory guage I'll probably go for the manual type. And I'll have to find the name of the shop I got a new accessory guage from for the '38 at the end of last year, it was only AU$65 a fair bit less to the AU$150 I was quoted today!

Something I didn't mention in my previous post, Wade on examining the intake/exhaust manifold I'd removed from the '41 found that the mating surfaces, especially of the exhaust manifold, are somewhat irregular. So I'll have to have the manifold mating surface machined to bring it all back to give the gaskets a good sealing surface. The surfaces on the block all look OK.

And a final matter, a couple of weeks ago when I picked up some copper washers for the sump plug from Lee Bros a specialist fastener supplier, a guy, Col, in the parking lot told me he had an old hood ornament. Col knew it wasn't a Packard and he thought it might be for a Pontiac as it was an american indian appearing to be holding or throwing something. Got me interested and I got Col's phone number and followed him up until he located in earlier this week and I went over to his house late yesterday afternoon to look at it. I couldn't identify it, but Col let me take, because he trusted me to do the right thing, can you believe that in this day and age. I said I'd post pic's of it on the AACA "What Is It" Forum and see what happens. Well did this last night before going to bed and what do you know there was an answer identifying it this morning. And here's where it gets scary the poster, from the US, had found it on the internet from an Aussie Antiques show. And even scarier, the one shown is from Turramurra, a Sydney suburb not that far from where I live in Epping! And as you'll see from the valuation, in the link, I can't afford it. But there could be an upside as Col is a panelbeater/spraypainter and he's noticed the dings on the '38 and I'm going to get him to quote for their repair. Must be cheaper than the quote I got from a panel shop some months ago, I'm still getting over the shock!

See pic's and link below.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/collectors/img/2007/showtell_m1446538.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/collectors/txt/s2033458.htm&h=185&w=395&sz=14&hl=en&start=60&um=1&tbnid=HEgL38yAqdtzzM:&tbnh=58&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3DIndian%2Bhood%2Bornaments%26start%3D40%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ADBS%26sa%3DN

Attach file:

---

  (21.82 KB)


  (14.71 KB)


  (10.26 KB)


  (10.94 KB)

G'day Mal, There is an instrument place in Canberra which still reconditions the capillary tube instruments. I had a few done for the 38 Six and Eight two years ago. Cost about $A60 each. I shall see you this weekend for Noel's birthday so have a think about it. I need to talk to you about getting a few front shocks reconditioned for the 38 Eight. I understand that the Sydney connection is no longer? Best regards Peter Toet

Quote:

Peter,

Sounds good about the Canberra connection for re-conditioning the capillary tubes. And I'll see if I can re-establish contact regarding the shocks. See you on Sunday.

PS - Do you have a spare like that in the pic below? Or just the part with the left hand thread would do.

Attach file:

---

  (16.59 KB)

Mal,

If you feel like going at it yourself, here is a method for repairing capillary temperature gauges. Oh, and these use ether, not mercury. Still dangerous stuff if you have long term exposure.

http://www.ply33.com/Repair/tempgauge

Tom

Quote:

Tom,

Thanks for that, however as I'm nowhere near skilled enough to undertake such a procedure I'll leave it to the experts.

Friday 27th June 2008

Today Marine Cleaned, Metal Readied and painted sump, side plates, a few other small parts and the 101 bolts for the sump.

While I was doing this, Wade was in and under John's '39 110 Sedan getting the trans out to take out the clutch. A word about John's '39 - It has an Australian body by TJ Richards which I've been told is similar/same as Studebaker bodies having a more laid back windscreen, door handles on the belt line, different rear window , etc (And see Peter Packards 2 '38's in the Owner Registry, they too have TJ Richards bodies). According to the book removal of the trans and clutch is simple, but the book was printed for LHD Packards. When the steering is RHD together with the shift, clutch and brake linkages it's almost impossible to remove the trans "by the book". Anyway, as usual, Wade came up with a work-around and the trans and then the clutch came out but will go back in a little differently as a few things were learned along the way. Oh, and by the way, don't think I was just standing around I did help, passed spanners, held spanners, got the trolley jack(twice), etc, you get the picture, Mal AKA #1 Gopher, Go 'fer this, go for that. From Wades initial examination of the clutch, needs a new plate as linings worn and springs rattle, the face of the pressure plate is scored although from a cursory examination the flywheel looks OK but will be checked again next week, the throw-out bearing and spigot bearings are shot and needs a new spring on the throw out. Wade is also going to look and do a few other things on the '39 like check and fix the binding brakes, new plugs and the "thump" in the front suspension. John's also looking to get all four fenders tidied up as all have scrapes/blemishes on them.

This brings me to the rest of the day as I left early afternoon with the shop shutting for the obligatory long lunch on Fridays. I had arranged to meet Col, the owner of the Leaping Indian Hood Ornament, later in the afternoon. Col was a panelbeater/spraypainter before he changed careers about 15 years ago and is now a carpenter and had said he could fix the dings in my '38's front fenders. I also returned the Leaping Indian as the valuation given of AU$300 was way beyond my budget. After Col, and his workmate Russell, had a good look over the '38 I asked him to give me a quote on the panel repairs and re-paint for the 2 front fenders along with brush touch-ups of chip marks in other areas. The price was a third of what I'd been quoted by a panel shop some months ago. So all that remains is to tee up when he can do it, which will be after the next Packard Club run in mid July and he expects it to take 3 days.

But back again to the Leaping Indian. Col was disappointed it wasn't an original Hood Ornament but pleased with it's apparent value. He then said he thought it would have been worth AU$100 and I said as I had only been prepared to offer AU$50 before it's value was known I was out of the running. Col then turned round and said OK I could have it for $50! Whereupon I said that I didn't have the cash with me and then Col said I could catch up with that another time! All that happened before he quoted on the panel/paint repair. Then talking later, he asked what I thought should be done with the Leaping Indian and in my generosity I said he really should try selling it on eBay. Col thought about that for a second or two and said yes he would try that but if it didn't sell then I could have it for $50. So I may still end up with a Leaping Indian!

And as I was about to leave I told Col about John's '39 and gave a very sketchy outline of the panel/paint work required. We then got to talking about where the workshop is and the guys there and it turns out he knows John and so I'll pass on his regards when I see John tomorrow, small world!

Attach file:

---

  (28.87 KB)


  (11.63 KB)


  (18.95 KB)


  (10.79 KB)


  (27.16 KB)


  (24.04 KB)


  (25.19 KB)

Saturday 28th June 2008

Couple of hours at the workshop this morning. As Wade wasn't going to be in, started by putting the horns and brackets back on the engine, no problems. Then the brackets and rod for the cross engine throttle linkage, fine on the left side then go round to the right side and there's nowhere to mount it as the manifolds have been taken off. OK then what about the water outlet on the head, all painted and ready to go, right? Wrong, all painted but not ready to go. Started by gasket cementing the bottom of the outlet and the gasket Wade had made, then realised the new thermostat had neither been tested nor installed in the outlet neck! Mild panic set in to be replaced by stoic acceptance as I cleaned up the gasket cement applied and looks like I'll be cutting a new gasket! Did also manage to re-install the breather tube at the rear of the block. Ran out of options so instead of trying to do real work went back to something I know I'm good at, having had lots of practice, scraping and cleaning. This time it was the lower block edge so the sump can be re-installed next week and managed to do that without any drama. I then cleaned up the trans cross member for the '39 110, the right side was caked and baked with oil, grease, dirt, small rocks and one 1" split pin and in doing this it's quite clear I was in my element.

Also passed on to John, Col's greetings and John said as I had thought, "small world". and that he hadn't seen Col in many years.

And last night had a call from Harvey, the guy woodgraining the dash, he can't find the paint he's used previously as the manufacturer has discontinued it and his fall-back option has likewise disappeared from the shelves. He's asked me to see what I can find using the internet, but so far have drawn a blank. He also suggested Lithographers ink could be used, so with that last in mind went to an art supply shop on the way home after the workshop. There they couldn't help with the ink but there was a plethora of paints so I'm going to suggest to Harvey he might have a better chance of sourcing the paint there than in trade paint shops and hardware stores. Then after leaving the art supply store saw what I think is a '48 Buick, needing some TLC, sitting in a storage unit's parking lot.

Attach file:

---

  (35.16 KB)


  (33.12 KB)


  (40.63 KB)


  (31.22 KB)

Mal,

I am in the printing ink biz, so I can get you inks, pigments, etc if you need them.

Quote:John,

I'm taking a punt here based on the Forum Name in Packardinfo.com that your name is John. This follows from some recent communications through the PACA Website with John at Appin. If not, I apologise for my assumption.

Anyway, back to the offer, I hope to catch up with Harvey at some stage tomorrow and I'll run things past him then and come back to you if need be. Irrespective could you please let me know, gently if you can, whether I've made the right call on the name?

Yes Mal, John in Appin here. I'll PM my phone numbers if you think you need anything for colourants.