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Hi all, My name is Jeff Teeter from Upstate Ny, and I Just wanted to introduce myself, as I have been prodding around on this great forum for a while now. I recently picked up a 51' 400 Patrician and I'm learning quite a bit about my car from this site. I posted a few pics of my 400 as well as a scan of the original invoice. Hopefully I can offer help down the road as I learn more myself....

Jeff-

Jeff

Welcome to the PI website. 'Big Kev' has done a great job setting this site up and continually improving it. This is a great place to 'talk Packard' and learn from some Packard-Smart-People.

I too am a relatively new Packard owner. I found the website in December 2007 after getting my Clipper in Nov 07.

Thanks for uploading pictures and your invoice. There are lots of great items and data here.

Check out other 1951 owners in the Owners Registry. If you have not registered your car, I hope you do. There are Packard Pictures to check out, in the 1951 section. Also, ask your questions in a forum if you need help.

I have found this a great clearinghouse for all of us.

Do you know anyone in the Niagra Packard Club? There may be more than one in your area. Most regions have a 'Tech Advisor' and possibly a Tech Wksp annually. i went to the MN Packard Club's November workshop and found good people and good help.

DanL

Thanks for the welcome Dan! I'll do some research on local clubs too.....I'm so new to this I dont know where to start, but I'm glad this site is here to "guide" me. I'm currently replacing my entire brake system, from the master cylinder to the shoes, as well as the entire exhaust system.

Jeff

Jeff
I had to do the brakes on mine as well.
I didn't replace the lines but blew them out. I since have bought new material to replace the old lines. Someday I will.
The biggest problem that I had was that one wheel cylinder was corroded shut with congealed fluid and was badly pitted. I honed it out with a flexible honer but didn't examine it carefully enough. It was badly pitted right where the rubber cup moved and began leaking after 4 weeks. I have repaired it twice since then, honing it better each time. I will eventually need to have it replaced or resleeved (about a $50 repair). So far it has been 2 months w/o leaks and the brake petal is very solid.

HINT: I am not used to shop work and wear latex gloves around brake fluid and especially brake cleaner fluid. Saves hands and cleaning.
DanL

Dan,
Thanks for the info. When I received the car the brake pedal could be pressed all the way to the floor with zero results. I inspected all the brake components, and discovered the master cylinder was leaking badly, and pitted inside. The brake lines looked "ok", and the wheel cylinders were all internally pitted. I decided it would be a more reliable, and longer lasting fix for me to replace rather than rehone. I was able to scrounge up all the needed parts for under $500...now it's just getting it all put together. The brake lines looked good, but since I was replacing all the rest I figured I might as well do a complete rebuild, plus I just picked up a nice hydraulic double flaring tool from my Snap-On dealer, so it gives me a chance to try it out. Thanks again...

Jeff-

Jeff,

Welcome aboard Packardinfo, a great site with great people only too willing to share their expertise and experience. See you're already aboard the Registry, thanks for that.

Enjoy your Packard and Packardinfo.

Thanks Mal, Glad to be here!

Jeff-

good luck with you new Packard. I did the same thing rebuilt my brakes from the ground up including putting new liners on the shoes. I ask a shop how much they would charge to put new liners on my shoes an they wanted $40 per shoe that was $320 that I could use elsewhere on my 53 Packard. I bought new liners from Kanter for $90 and did myself. Since I replaced my complete system I switch to Dot 5 fluid, They say that it is less moisture resistant and has a lower boiling point. It works fine, haven't had any problems. I just completed my interior ( see forum for pictures) did it all myself at a fraction of the cost. If I told you how much you would call me a liar.

Jeff: A big welcome to the forum. It sure is nice to see another high pockets Packard owner coming into the forum.

I own a 1953 300 series Cavalier. The Packard and I are located is Central Penna. in the town of Jersey Shore.

John F. Shireman

Thanks Dan, I'm going to go with the dot5 fluid too. Your interior looks great...so..how much??..I'll believe you!!

Jeff-