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

A large vacuum leak could mess things up. A small one not as badly but still be noticed.

What kind of fuel filter do you have? Modern ones are not as much of an issue but if you have the old ceramic, those can look clean, pass air thru well but be clogged or varnished enough to restrict gas flow to a trickle.

Symptom I had with the ceramic was car would slow idle fine and you could give it a little gas to a faster idle but put it in gear and give it some more to start moving more than a crawl and engine would stumble or die.

No ceramic filter. Adjusted the idle and opened the two fuel screws a bit. Cut back on the climate control dial. Car runs at 750 to 800 rpm with no problem, tried to cut it back and the car immediately stalled. Adjusted the idle back up and started the car and it ran fine.
It does appear to be hard to start, before it was like a new car turn the key crank it up and it would be running and not stall.


1. Fuel to carb from small tank, plenty of fuel flow.
2. Car stalls at low rpm 500 or so.
3. Car is hard to start, takes 4 to 6 times with the always noisy starter wind down.

It would be difficult to drop the Ultramatic into gear at the rpm the car will stay running at.

I would go through all the calibration adjustments on the carb per the manual and make sure ever thing is kosher.