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Hi all,

I've been a forum member for a couple of years now but I would look in every once in awhile so really I'm pretty new! I bought this packard in March of 2021, at the time I was 20 and was looking for a old car of any type. I was really interested in a 1948 Cadillac someone had but we couldn't agree on a price at that time. So one day after working out of town in grand rapids Mi I stumbled across this car dealership that had this car and I instantly wanted it! It had some issues specifically that I ignored because I was young and dumb and I thought it would be a easy fix. A few issues it had at the time I bought it, bad head gasket, radiator leaking, brakes needing adjustments, leaking brake fluid, and everyone's favorite lots of bondo on the rockers and on the rear fender. I'll attach the link to the pictures that the dealer posted.grautogallery.com/vehicles/7662/1951-packard-200

Mind you at the time I didn't know how to drive a manual either so that was another hurdle I had to over come lol. Realistically I should have saved another $4000 and bought a really nice Packard but I kinda wanted one that needed some love. Here is it when I got it to the garage.

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So I'm going to skip ahead a little in the timeline to cover the things I have done on the car
-replaced head gasket and had the head machined I believe the machinist said it was warped .008" could be mistaken. Sep 2021
-replaced thermostat as it wasn't opening correctly. Sep 2021
- adjusted the brakes, e brake was stuck and was partially engaged Sep 2021
- painted the frame to protect from rust got about 75% done Oct 2022
- replaced the air duct hoses? Might not be correct terminology I apologize. Previous owner had it duct taped with a thin aluminum sheet looked really bad lol. Nov 2023
- Brand new white walls as old ones were old fake covers. July 2024
- hooked up a original oil filter cannister as it didn't have one previously. August 2024

I realize after typing this up I don't have many photos of what I did starting now I will take more detailed photos when I start the next projects which there is alot to do!

I'm having problems attaching photos so I'm just attaching them separately.

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Here are some of my goals for this year to work on, if anyone can provide any advice/insight please let me know!

Recore radiator- does anyone know of a shop in the Monroe, Mi area that works on these types of radiators?

Oil pan gasket has been leaking for a little bit

Master cylinder seal

Floor pan/rockers-the floor is getting soft on the driver side I bought pans and rockers long ago but I couldn't find anyone willing to work on it if anyone knows of a shop in the Monroe, MI that will let me know!

Weatherstripping- anyone know of a source for these? For all the car doors
Thanks Nathan!

Great looking car Nathan, you will look great cruising in her!
For my rad I used a shop that was recommended by a friend that works on Model A Fords, so you could look into businesses or clubs in your immediate area for anybody that can refer you. The phone works good too, you may find a local rad shop that is happy to work with you, or know a fellow in the same business that does that type of thing. Staying local on the rad is the best as they are awkward to ship and rather fragile too.
Gaskets and weather stripping are straight forward as shipping is a non-issue, they travel great! Use the directory on the main menu to see all the ones who are on this site. I used Kanter and Max Merritt for most my parts, but there are a lot of other vendors who will be happy to get you what you need, or like the rad re-core, direct you to a firm they know who can help.
Have fun! The nice weather is coming in fast,
Bob J.

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I am starting to repop weatherstripping. Let me know what part numbers you are interested in. Might be able to help.

I am starting to repop weatherstripping. Let me know what part numbers you are interested in. Might be able to help.[/quote]

What materials and method are you using?

Getting the factory drawing, making it in CAD, then buying it from a vendor in bulk.

Not much of use can be made with homebrew methods. I mean, you CAN, but it would likely be urethane based, and there's just not much point.

Ferndale Radiator, Ferndale MI (248) 541-9688

Mel is 3rd generation owner.