Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Good Morning,

When I bought my '38 Six, it came in boxes. The engine especially. All of the machining had been done and the nuts, bolts, gaskets, etc were in cans and boxes. I've been sorting things out and I am now putting it together. My manual doesn't cover some of the minor details. For example: I'm not clear on how to install the front main seal. Another question is proper installation of the cam shaft...I see there is a bronze spacer/flange that bolts to the front of the engine block. Do I just snug the nut up to the timing gear and that's it? Does that properly locate the camshaft in the block? If so, how much do I torque that nut and should I put loc-tite on it?

If someone has answers or can direct me to a good source for the answers, that would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks, Erik

Welcome to the Packard ownership world. I cannot help you with your questions, but a certain Aussie is going to ask you include your car in the Owner's Registry. So, go ahead, include it. Just go here.

Good luck on your project.
Cheers,

Tom

Tom,

I've already HIT Erik with that request here!
And for thinking about the Registry!

Erik,

If you can wait a couple of weeks, the workshop I haunt is waiting for a '39 120 engine to come back from the machine shop. Same setup as the 6 so when it goes together I can advise then, probably with pic's too.

The front seal for the crankshaft has a cork insert in a spring loaded metal housing. It is installed after the timing chain and gears are installed and is slid into place on the front of the crankshaft with the cork insert facing out. The vibration damper pulley on the crankshaft holds it in place after the timing cover has been installed.

The 1935-41 parts list has a cross section illustration that shows the camshaft assembly but it is a bit hard to follow. There is an exploded view on Illustration Plate No. 89 in the 1948-54 parts list that shows the assembly sequence more clearly.

The camshaft is held in place by the odd shaped flange that bolts to the front of the block.

There is a lock plate under the camshaft nut, so loctite is not needed.
Torque for the camshaft nut is 140 to 160 ft. lb. (from the 1946-50 service manual)

Thanks for the good info.

I'll get my car on the registry soon. Been busy with work and too much fun tinkering with the Packard.

About the front main seal: my gasket kit comes with a felt ring that looks suspiciously like it is part of the front main seal?? Not sure where it goes. From memory it looks approx. 2 1/4 inches in dia. and roughly 1/4 thick. Anyone know that one?

I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. In hind sight they seem obvious, but until you know...you don't.

many thanks, Erik

Quote:

Here's a photo of a used front seal. Any that I have ever seen had a cork insert like the one pictured.
Outside diameter of the cork is 2-1/2" and it is about 1/4" thick.

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Yep, I have one of those...the new kit came with a replacement cork, but I also have a felt ring. My guess is that the gasket kit is for multiple years and other years use this felt in some way. Unless it goes on the harmonic balancer in some way.