Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

See radiator and cooling section of the SERVICE manual. P.3 figure 6. Looks to me like the line goes between block and water pump manifold which is consistant with most other manufaturer conventions.

What strikes me as odd about the Carib is that somekind of shield is in front of the front carburetor????? That would block some fan cooling. So most likely the OEM outer routing of the fuel line is for convenience due to dual carbs rather than for cooling the line.

There is a shield on the front Caribbean carb to maintain consistent temp between the front and back carb. A lot of time these shields have gone missing. So then the front carb runs cooler than the back one.

The SoCal chapter of PI is reproducing all 3 Caribbean shields.

My 56 Exec with WCFB has what i believe to be oem line. It's routed between block and water pump. Most V8 engines i've seen with 2bbl or 4 bbl are usualy routed that way.

What strikes me as odd about the Carib is that somekind of shield is in front of the front carburetor?????

The manifold sits very high over the lifter cover, the front baffle is to prevent the fan blast from passing beneath the intake in large volume and overcooling the base of the intake manifold which would result in poor fuel vaporization. With and without does make a difference, from personal experience, gas mileage is slightly higher and plugs burn cleaner.

The SoCal chapter of PI is reproducing all 3 Caribbean shields.
What three shields? I only know of two. Did we have this discussion before?

Thank you Randy. I thought I had lost it again. I could only remember two myself but decided not to show my ignorance for a change.

Of course you are correct. Just two shields. Still thinking of that picture with three of them on the table, but two were identical.

Well,all this "shield" stuff is interesting, but, IMO, completely useless if the temperature is HIGH enough.

Last year, I was driving my 77 Firebird 350 "over the hump" from Pahrump to Las Vegas. The temperature was 110F and the grade from Pahrump to Spring Mtn pass (the "hump") is 2700 to 5200ft. The Firebird had a good mechanical pump AND and electric pump. It did not matter. The Bird quit about 500ft short of the summit due to vapor lock and with the lifters clattering like mad. We had a 3 car caravan (the other two cars had FI) so we could continue, but I had to leave the Bird at the Fire Station near the summit. Later, on the way back, I retrieved it and since it had cooled down, it started right up and the lifter clatter disappeared.

I had a similar problem on the flat in Las Vegas many years ago with my 55 Pat, but in that case, an electric fuel pump solved the problem.

In case you guys did not notice, KevinAZ has a switchable electric pump on his 55 400 and that probably saved his bacon, so to speak. My advice to KevinAZ is to keep the electric pump turned on all the time, at least while the ambient temp is hot.

I do not think that a "return style" mechanical fuel pump makes any difference in a situation like this. My 77 Bird has one and my 55 Pat does not. If the temperature is high enough, the current grade of lousy commercial gas (with alcohol) will "vapor lock" no matter what.

Craig

Quote:

Not it's not. Not in the great SouthWest in the summertime anyway. In Phoenix a few years ago, it was 122F. In Las Vegas a few years after that, it was 116F. In Pahrump last year it was 110F. This year in Pahrump, only 107F so far.

But it is a dry heat! (5% humidity) LOL

Craig