QuestionMy son (14 yrs old) and I (a few more yrs then him) were given a 56 Packard Clipper. its been sitting outside for at least the last 25-30 yrs We got it home and took out the front and rear suspension, engine, trans (ultramatic), everything. The next thing I'm going to get into is the power steering pump, steering gear box, power steering assist unit. Do you have any words of wisdom for me on this project. Besides for me to see a doctor. I'm waiting for a parts catalog to come from "Studebaker Intl"
Thanks in advance
Arnie
AnswerWell, yes I do, but it's too late now! The usual mistake made by folks when starting out on an old car project is to take too much apart, then lose interest when you see the enormous amount of work involved in getting everything fixed up and back together.
From where you are now, all I can do is to tell you where to go for information and parts, and hope you will do it.
You need a parts book and a shop manual for the car. You also need a set of "service counselors", Volume 29 and 30.
You can find these on eBay from time to time, or you can save time and contact one of the many auto literature dealers. I use Ed Faxon at www.faxonautolit.com, but there are many others.
Packards are very tricky - people who have worked on other cars assume they are built just like a Ford or Chevy, and get themselves into serious problems with that assumption. Get the manuals and study them, and then pick one item at a time to work on.
When you come up against something you don't know how to do, ask someone who has done it (like me, for instance, for most things on these cars), and join the Packard Club for moral support. There are two Packard clubs - the one I've found most helpful is called Packard Automobile Classics - you can contact them at www.packardclub.org Spend a few hours looking through their web site and learn about the car.
For parts, I recommend Joel Ray at packards1@aol.com, or Max Merritt at www.maxmerrittauto.com There are many other vendors who stock a good supply of parts - probably the largest dealer is Kanter Brothers, in New Jersey. Contact them at www.kanter.com
There are some parts of the car that are very typical - for those you CAN rely on your experience on other cars. The things that are normal American practice are:
1. Brakes (except the power brake booster - that's wierd!)
2. Power Steering (except that there were two systems, Monroe and Bendix and you have to be sure to get parts for the right one, especially the power steering pump!) The pumps look the same - the only way to know which you have is to see which type of system you have (look in the parts book!)and buy parts for the right one.
3. Cooling system (nothing tricky there, except the transmission cooler, which is no longer available - use an aftermarket one unless you are trying for a prize at Pebble Beach).
4. Body hardware (except the hood and trunk hinges - they are somewhat strange).
5. Glass(except the windshield and back glass, which is available but very pricy!)
6. Driveline and rear axle (except the front U joint is wierd).
Things that are NOT like other cars are:
1. Engine internal design and assembly
2. Automatic transmission (and shift mechanism, if it is push button operated)
3. Windshield wiper and washer system
4. Suspension (if you have the automatic leveling system)
As long as I'm still able to do it, I will try to help you with whatever you run into, but brace yourself - you'll have to become an expert on these wierd sub-systems or you will run out of money and/or patience before you ever get to drive it.
Good Luck, you are really going to need it!
Dick
