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Dear All,

I have two details on my 34 coupe roadster that I need some help with.

1) How is the oil fill pipe and pipe cap treated? I have seen: all chrome/nickel; black tube, chrome cap and knob; all black but the knob; and all black.

2) What color should the steering column be in an open car? I thought black, but there is some evidence that the column was steering wheel color.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom

Based on my 34 Eight which was essentially an original and unmolested car prior to the engine rebuild a few years ago, the oil filler pipe is painted gloss black and the filler cap and knob are nickel plated. I can't comment on a steering column in an open car but in my closed car it is painted brown, corresponding in color to the steering wheel.

CORRECTION: Geez.... you'd think I know my own car better after sitting behind the wheel for nearly 50 years - I guess I can't trust my memory like I used to. The steering column in BLACK! And the body color is also black so I'm not sure how useful this information is.

Dave,

As always, thanks for the info!

I am thinking that the chassis was mated to the body with the steering column in place, which would make me think that the columns would all have been the same color, black. The column in my 30 was gloss black. As with anything color wise, I am sure you could get the column painted any color you chose.

Cheers,

Tom

A good person to ask for more info would be Bob Woolfit down in VA, he has had quite a few 34s over the years and is a real stickler for authenticity as supported by the number of awards his cars have taken over the years. I've looked thru about a dozen interior photos of 34 Eights and Super Eights and FWIW all the steering columns are black.

Dave,

Thanks for the effort. I sent you a PM regarding Bob's contact info.

Cheers,

Tom

Might ask the PAC roster keeper as well, James Pearsall. Haden Vandiver might be one to ask as well.

How about Bruce?
https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=9204&forum=4&post_id=98413#forumpost98413

OK, more questions about engine details.

The nuts holding the block to the crank case that are exposed (right side): Should they be chrome (or nickel?) acorn nuts. On my 733, they appear to have been nickel plated acorn nuts.

The generator band: Owen Dyneto green or black?

Generator field screws: painted over, or left exposed. If exposed, nickel?

Bijur tank fittings: Nickel, NiCad, au natural, or something else.

Thanks tons for your help.

Cheers,

Tom

p.s. Photos of the work being done on the 34 at Odyssey can be found here.

Hi Tom:

1. Block to crankcase nuts. Some controversy on that, but I'd say if the engine came dressed with nickel-plated cylinder head nuts from the factory, then they should be likewise. If a dealer dressed an engine, he may or may not have changed those block to crankcase nuts. For certain on 34 eights and Super Eights that just had plan steel cylinder head nuts, the block to crankcase nuts were also just plain (painted) steel. You did mean on the "left" side (non-manifold side) of the engine didn't you?

2. Generator cover band. Engine green.

3. Generator field screws. Controversial, can't say with certainty but you might ask Jason at AER. I suspect they were nickel-plated.

4. Bijur fittings. Nickel plated.

To my knowledge everything under the hood that was decoratively plated was done in nickel and I think that's true right thru the 1939 Twelve and perhaps the Super Eights.

You might want to ask about the color of the splash shields, as I think they should be black. Also, you might want to ask if any of the components (starter, generator, or ??) should be painted with wrinkle finish (maybe that's just a 12-cylinder detail???).

Ninth series was using acorns all the way, except under the breather.

Tenth series and later used painted nuts on the block. I do have pictures with both painted nuts and acorns on the block, but the parts book is explicit. Standard 8 used hex nuts, Super 8 used acorns on the cylinder head.