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I will be documenting the rebuild of my Patrician. This is my first restore project. A little history on this car, 1956 Packard Patrician 4 door purchased a gentleman who drove it until 1967 then drove it into his heated machine factory and left them there for 45 years. It still had a 1961 wards battery in one original tires and @ 80,000 miles on this one. With gas in can and some in carb the car started right up. Took the gas tank off and had it opened up and boiled out and lined and resealed. This Packard has 374 cu in 6.1 L 310 hp original engine, Electronic Push Button Ultramic for 1956 (only Year made with this on Patrician). The body has little rust , most chrome good. It has power seats, power windows , seatbelts that were not needed in 1956 good interior, good head liner all glass good.

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Welcome!

Judging from the digipix, that 56 Pat is in really good shape, particularly for starting a "restoration". You'll find many on this site very helpful and knowledgeable if you run into any issues or have some questions. I personally have a 55 Pat that I've owned for 14 years.

BTW, the 56 374CID engine with single 4GC was rated at 290HP, not 310HP (that was the 2x4bbl Caribbean version). In any case, you'll have plenty of power to keep up with modern traffic. Stopping on the other hand is another matter, but you can take care of that later if you choose.

Craig

Thanx Craig,

My wife and I are looking forward to getting it put back in mint condition and enjoying her for years to come. I am 2.5 hours from the Packard Plant in Detroit and would love to drive her up and get some pics of it at the factory before they tear it all down. I am also only 10 miles from the Studebaker plant in South bend.

I have heard stopping can be an issue. I am rebuilding the Tredlevac now. I have read that pitting in the piston can is not an issue, but I am not convinced of this. I am afraid mine may not be serviceable. I use a dipping solution called Evaporust to remove rust from my components and then ran a light hone in the bore. The pitting is a concern.

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Looks like your car is Norwegian Forest Green solid tone-- just like the 400 I used to own. Very pretty color.
I would send the Bendix Tredle Vac to Ed Strain in Pinellas Park Florida for rebuild, This may be your first rebuild of one of those, it would be about his 800th. He makes them work correctly, and offers quick turn around.
Is your car a high production number? many of the solid tone cars were.

TroyT Quote:

FWIW, here are my solutions:

http://www.1956packardpanther.com/Panther/powerbrakes.html

http://www.1956packardpanther.com/Panther/discbrakes.html

Many have done the former or equivalent, not so many the latter.

Craig

Yes, 5682-4508

And Troy, how about the body dash or theft-proof number (the large embossed # above the heater box, and enclosed by brackets. It's probably DXXXXX.

And I agree with a prior poster, far better to send your TreadleVac to someone like Ed Strain than to do it yourself - these rebuilders have access to parts that may be needed that aren't included in the kits. If he determines that it's not a rebuildable core, easy enough to get another used one from Mike Dulinski.

Nice looking car.

Is your carburetor a Carter, or Rochester? It loos like a Carter.

It is a Carter

One of my non-Automotive Restores