Steve Brown

I wish you guys hadn't even mentioned the "H" word. Like the old tradition of never mentioning the devil's name, etc.

And in my case I confirmed absolutely that my Clipper was doing it when new. And the owner was a Studebaker Packard dealer and it gave him fits, too. Whatever. I tried Marvel Mystery Oil which is supposed to make the gas less volatile but in the end it was the new fuel pump that did the trick. With modern cars and the fuel under so much pressure, this kind of thing just can't happen. Although if I could find the fuel line on my new Jeep I'd love to put a row of clothes pins on it just to hear the mechanics ask what the heck is that?!?!

My Clipper has suffered from vapor lock for its whole life. The original owner told me when the car was new they took a trip to the National Parks and the car was DOA at Grand Canyon, Yellow Stone, etc. in the summer. Fortunately he lived in British Columbia where it only got hot ever so often. When I got it home - from Canada to Texas - it proceeded to lock up on me EVERY time the weather was in the 90s. And this was despite multiple carb rebuilds and fuel line tinkering over the years by the original owner and I. Finally, the whole mess was solved (I hope) with a $30 electric fuel pump. No problems since then but every hot day I'm on pin and needles waiting for the engine to falter.

Randy: I've had that noise sometimes. Usually when the car is cold. I've always read that the noise to worry about is a "groan." Is the whine just a prelude to the groan? I've noticed I get the whine mostly when I'm not using the "lock up" part of the twin ultra drive. I always thought that whine was just some kind of slipping noise. Since the closest Ultra repair shop to me is in Shreveport, I plan to drive her til she drops.

I vote for fuel supply, too. It could be anything from a clogged line or tank inlet to a carb problem. And does it matter if the car is fully warmed up or not or if it's warm outside?

Randy, glad to hear the 56 is coming home. And I can relate about the Windshield. The Clipper has a bad crack in her's and it's just a matter of time.

How bout the car driving by?

Great looking, Al. Really like that color combo. What was original?

And your new parts car is the reverse personality of my 55 hardtop. I have lite green on the trunk deck and roof and dark green on the hood and lower rear.

Randy, I think that front tire is a problem. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I've talked to people who have used those giant sandwich bags for their old cars - the kind you drive the car onto and the whole thing zips up somehow. My best effort so far is to keep the air circulating. My two box fans in the garage are on timers and blow air under the car. If I don't get the car out for a few weeks it helps. And I also keep the doors open as much as possible. That helps keep things dried out I'm hoping.

My 55 Panama which I had out for a long run yesterday has convention suspension. It doesn't ride much different than other cars of that period. But then, I don't try to go over road humps at 40 either. I'm guessing that would be the big difference if it had TL. Most of the noise and little bumps I get are coming from those sorry bias tires which one day - if they ever wear out - I will get rid of.

And best holiday wishes from Texas. If it doesn't rain tomorrow, it will be a day of cruising in the Clipper.

Since I'm in Texas, the Clipper does stay "active" through the winter. Many weekends in December - February we get into the 60s and 70s. But there is enough cold and wet weather during the winter that the Clipper may have to sit in the garage for several weeks in a row. In that case, am I wise to occassionally start her up and let her sit in the garage and run for 15 or 20 min. Or, as some people have told me, this does more harm than good unless you get the car out and drive it and get everything warmed up and cirulated? What do you guys think? I can see both sides of the arguement. Of course, I always have stabil in the gas and keep the trickle charger on the battery. SteveB, 1955 Packard Panama Super Clipper.

I was on the Interstate yesterday afternoon north of Dallas just putting along at about 55. Suddenly a big blue car zooms up behind me and passes in the inside lane. It was a beautiful 54 Pat with a whole crowd of 30 somethings inside. They had to be doing 65. I sped up and I honked and waved and they all waved back grinning ear to ear. Talk about quality.

I know we've beaten this to death before. But at least one Packard engine expert advised me to always use straight 30 weight oil. That's what's been in her since the first time I changed.

That's right. I remember now that you did. Those people have been in business forever and advertise every month or so. Hopefully they'll have your stuff. I have read some of the Stude people have used them for their Packard engines.

Did you check with TERRILL MACHINE INC. in Deleon, Texas. They advertise as having such.

I vote with Brian. There's got to be something else going on here. Have you had the valve covers off yet? Something's got to be fouling up wth oil flow somewhere.

Something fishy with that. Maybe he drove the 100 miles with no oil in the crankcase. Would explain a lot.

I stopped by there last January for the first time. Very much worth a visit and a nice break from all the casino hype.

Caught my eye too. That color combo is a stunner. Don't think we have any forum folks up that way, tho.

That's how I ended up with my Clipper. Bad hips and back did the last guy in. Lift with your knees . . .

Randy: I think your car is haunted. Maybe a little holy water and a St. Chris medal will help.

I saw that but was skeptical because it was a 6. Looks like Al C would need at least 8 cyl for fast getaways.

I think I have the answer to why they ditched the electric wipers. Truth was the electrical systems were so pitiful in the early 50s that they couldn't keep up with the new gadgets. So they decided to use the vac system to run what they could. In the earlier jr models they must have decided their weren't as many electrical gadgets as the seniors so they used an elec wiper there. By 55-56 the vac wipers should not have been needed with the new 12 volt elec systems. But the company was worried about a lot more than wipers by that point.