Projects 55 Packard Build

Ford's name for that color

 

Very quiet duals

 

When looking for parts I ran across this radiator with small damage to its exterior. How good is an old radiator with this small damage to its exterior?

 

I hear a re core is around 500/800$ with not that long of a warranty. Is this true in southern California.

 

You can lay that flat on its front side, fill it with water and attach a cutoff bicycle tube to it. Put 12-15 psi in it and check for leaks.

 

pure genius! I wish I had thought of that when I had a half a truckload of old car heaters to sell on ebay. sold them all as untested.

 

Thank you, I'll remember that one forever.

 

^^^^^^ I already have inner tubes and a bike pump.

 

Thanks for the visual, I was trying to pictre it and you took it a step further by your picture, thanks Bob. Did that Radiator pass the test?
Ronnie

 

That was the heater core in my '59 Ford. I wanted to make sure it was ok before the dash and heater box went in. The core looked like new. It held 20 psi for 10 minutes. Good enough for me. The heat is great in the car. I drive it all winter.

 

Hey guys, I need some help trying to move the old girl. Its time to move the car to my house. The wheels have always been locked since I bought it. Ive broke the front ones loose. But i cant break the rear wheels loose. Ive been lubing inside the hub with marvel mystery oil for weeks. Ive got the hubs to move, but only backwards. I can make them move foward by prying in a a prybar between the lug nuts and waming it with a big hamer. I can do full rotations inch by inch with hammer blows but thats it.

I have no key, the gear selctor only goes into the position its in plus 3 more. The pictures show in what gear its (supposedly) in

 

Does it have axle keys??? If so remove the drums and remove the keys. Is it a torque tube??? If not drop the drive shaft.

 

Have you backed off the brake adjusters? You may have wheel cylinders that are so corroded they are expanded, and applying pressure to the shoes. You may also have a bunch of rust in and on the inside of the brake drums. Again, backing off the adjusters should in that case also.

 

And if you get it freed up, applying the brakes may just push the wheel cylinder pistons out farther, with them sticking again. It would be good if you can get the drums off, so you can take a good look at the situation.

 

Thanks thats what im going to do then. Ill let off the adjusters too. I appriciate it. Thanks for the tip

 

Thanks, i dont know if it has axle keys.
If i drop the drive shaft, that will loosen the rear wheels?

 

Doesn't budge at all? Best guess is brakes locked up, if stuck in park, would seem it should rock back and forth a bit.

Assuming the fronts roll, you may have to jack the rear up and put it on a car dolly to get it to the new place, then work on it at your leisure.

 

Ok i got her rolling. Took a while but worth all the time. I got new tires for the front and am using the two tires @Flathead Dave gave me for the rear. Thanks Dave, they went to good use.

The more time I spend with this car the more i fall in love with it. Its such a huge car and it sits high too. I had at once contemplated selling it to buy a 56 Buick super but im going to keep this Packard. At of all the cars I have it my mom's and wife's favorite.

Here is a picture of it. Off jack stands and ready to get towed out to my house.

Little victories, little by little.

 

How is that 65 Skylark coming?

 

My .02 worth: my dad had a 55 and a 56 Packard. Those cars would outrun most anything on the road.
Parts are likely pricey & hard to find, but those motors are awesome and i think you can put a 727 tqflite
behind it. "Ask the man who owns one". And yes dual quads were an option; passed everything but the gas station.

 

Good shes rolling too, new tires also. I got a Buick 430 on my stand and im going through it, and a th400 thats ready. Slowly but surely.

 

Thats good to know. The 352 Packard engine is going to stay for sure. I hope to one day mate it to a th400 or a torqueflight.

 

Hey guys I have another question. How can you tell the difference between all 3 Packard V8's???

Thanks Ronnie

 

Ok thanks that is just what I needed. Im to go look at a rebuilt engine today from the man who sold me the Packard last year..

Its funny i called him and said "hi, i bought a Packard off you" (he had about 50 on his lot and has sold many"

He replied " are you that guy who dug the Packard out of the ground"

Hahaha

 

55 Packards are great! But yes they can a bet a pain to find parts for.


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