Re: Mike's 53 Caribbean
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Drain the coolant before you make a mess.
Posted on: 2022/4/27 17:26
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Re: Mike's 53 Caribbean
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Thanks Ross,
I should be fine removing the nuts holding the manifold to the block, also the bolts holding the two manifolds together. I managed to remove the muffler clamps, but think it will be a fight to get the muffler off of the pipes. Also, the two bolts holding the downpipe on the manifold "are on there pretty good" I am soaking everything with my favorite penetrating oil, and also broke out my propane torch to heat things up a few times. I've also given the bolts a few taps with a hammer, and a few shots with my impact gun....Any other tips to get those things apart? Oil, heat, vibration....we will see if I can get the muffler out in one piece, or if I will have to cut it up and take it out piece by piece....
Posted on: 2022/4/28 4:51
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1953 Clipper Delux Club Sedan, 1969 912, 1990 Miata, 2009 Ford S-Max.
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Re: Mike's 53 Caribbean
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Are the cast brass? Thermostat housings still available anywhere? I put one on the clipper, and it was super solid. I'd like to put one on the Caribbean too. My OEM Thermostat housing was straightened once, but still leaks a little bit. No wrenching progress tonight, but family time is as good as an evening in the garage with my "new gal"
Posted on: 2022/4/28 15:35
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1953 Clipper Delux Club Sedan, 1969 912, 1990 Miata, 2009 Ford S-Max.
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Re: Mike's 53 Caribbean
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Amature mechanic here...I drained the coolant, and still made a little mess draining the block with the plug by the starter....that was par for the course.
I managed to get all the nuts holding the intakes to the block off, and only backed out 2 studs. Heat, penetrating oil, back and forth with a 17mm ratcheting box wrench did it. I was able to get the rear end of the muffler disconnected from the tail pipe, but the front of the muffler is still connected to the down pipe. I have a sawzall on the way, and will chop up the old muffler. Also, looking at my front upper control arm bushings, I noticed that my uncle had installed spring spacers (helpers) into two coils of the front springs. I think I will just call EATON in Detroit and put new coils in while I have things apart. I fear the spacers would fail inspection here. As for the weight on the front springs in my car...I have the Overdrive, which is lighter than the Ultramatic, but the 359 with a cast iron head. I am not sure if that weighs the same or more than the original 327. -I might need that info when ordering springs. Not sure how exact EATON supplies the springs. Any guesses on weight? From my look at the specs, it is still pretty close to stock.
Posted on: 2022/5/2 9:29
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1953 Clipper Delux Club Sedan, 1969 912, 1990 Miata, 2009 Ford S-Max.
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Re: Mike's 53 Caribbean
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No luck at Eaton, they only have front coils from 1935 to 1950, which they say is one part number.
Posted on: 2022/5/2 13:28
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1953 Clipper Delux Club Sedan, 1969 912, 1990 Miata, 2009 Ford S-Max.
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Re: Mike's 53 Caribbean
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Try ESPO Springs n/ Things. I was looking into them when I was considering replacing my front springs. I believe they can make whatever springs you need, and I think they have the info for the 50's Packards.
https://www.springsnthings.com/coil-springs.htm -Kevin
Posted on: 2022/5/2 13:50
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Re: Mike's 53 Caribbean
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Thanks Kevin!
I sent an Email to them, let's see what they write back to me.
Posted on: 2022/5/2 14:37
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1953 Clipper Delux Club Sedan, 1969 912, 1990 Miata, 2009 Ford S-Max.
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Re: Mike's 53 Caribbean
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Espo was very friendly, but doesn't have any springs for me. Maybe I should check with the two big names in packard parts supply.
I need to go over the other projects I have lined up, and tally up what other parts I will need in the near future. Then I may order a few things to combine shipping. My owners manual and front turn Signal lenses arrived yesterday from the packard club. That was a fun easy project to replace the slightly cracked ones....now back to the hard Jobs.
Posted on: 2022/5/3 15:49
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1953 Clipper Delux Club Sedan, 1969 912, 1990 Miata, 2009 Ford S-Max.
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Re: Mike's 53 Caribbean
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The stance of the car is actually quite normal with the spring helpers installed in the front springs. They are little blocks that go between 2 coils, and keep those coils from compressing.
The problem is, those things might not pass inspection here in Germany. I could just take them out and see if the front ride height is acceptable, but I see those spacers as kind of a band-aid and therefore would also like to have good springs that fit and don't need any help. In general having the springs with the correct stance and travel is the best situation. Right now, with the spacers, the stance is ok, but travel is going to be limited in extreme situations.
Posted on: 2022/5/4 8:44
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1953 Clipper Delux Club Sedan, 1969 912, 1990 Miata, 2009 Ford S-Max.
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