Tom M
-
Posts
2,085 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Forums
Gallery
Events
Posts posted by Tom M
-
-
My Packard has the wooden spoke rims which use the straight center stems.
I talked to Lucas tire early today, all they have are rubber stem tubes. He mention getting the brass or nickel stems are in short supply.
Also the Firestone whites which I have now there are none available in the states. Only Lester's.
-
I have messaged Russell Stuckey to see what they have for my '31. Will post his reply.
For state side there has been talk about Truck Tubes can someone post a vendor they used or Message me. I am getting desperate. I would like to get these ordered while the Packard is down waiting to have leaf spring bolts made.
Thanks
-
On 5/22/2024 at 7:27 PM, nsbrassnut said:
Just for comparison. I went and opened my box on new 880 X 120 Blockley tubes today. The arrived with the tires a few weeks ago, but have been sitting on the shelf since and will be for a while yet before the tires get mounted.
The rubber is definitely thicker than on other brand X T size tubes that I have seen recently. And for the first time with new metal stem tubes, they came complete with jam nuts on the metal stem to help keep the stem and tube together. Not just a thin layer of bonded rubber like the brand X tubes.
On another forum there were some comments that the Blockley metal stems might be an odd metric thread. Well, not these ones. I tried out some original Shrader washers and metal covers and a modern reproduction. All threaded right on with no problems.
So far everything looks encouraging.
I have been in contact with Blockley to see if they have tubes for my Packard. He said that the stems are off center. Which won't work for the rims on the Packard.
Brassnut it is hard to tell from your photo are the stems off center on the tubes you have there.
Thanks
-
Thanks. Was a long journey back during the restoration and seems it never ends 🤪
I understand what you mean by wallet. I should have replaced the springs during the restoration. If I had to do it again and knew what I know now they would have been replaced back then.
Yes all four springs are being replaced. Placed an order with Max Merritt yesterday for their Leaf Spring Shackle Kit. My buddy has the springs all apart now and recommended as others have that it makes no sense to just replace a few bolt (he did say one did break as he was trying to press it out). I am sure glad I did not tackle this project. I thought I would be able to just do it in the driveway on a a nice spring weekend.
If I where you and just my opinion just bite your wallet and replace them all now. Because done the road you will regret not doing them now. As you can see what I am going through now. Plus with the rise in prices of the springs, shackle bolts and tire replacement (which I will need to buy new ones for the fronts as they have worn out because of bad alignment) and other issues it could cause like springs breaking, shackles etc.
Yes I believe you are right that the Passenger side does take more abuse since there seems to be more pot holes, the crown in the road that pounds the heck out of them.
Good luck with your 525 and please share some photos of your progress. If you haven't maybe start a bring back to Life a 525 Packard.
-
My friend working on the Packard leaf springs sent me these pictures
I would say the spring and shackle bolts have seen better days. A little worn after 93 years.
He mention after putting the new springs in (temporarily bolted up) the Packard had raise up at least an inch or two. 😁
He did mention the holes for the Bijur Lubrication system were plugged with gunk.When I restored the car I did pull all he lines and metering pins and cleaned them out. However I did not drop the springs which I should have at that time and did a more better job of cleaning the holes etc.
Thanks goodness I am having him tackle this project. He had to make a special tool to get the front bolts out for the rear springs. He said with the running board and side skirt in the way he could not get his air/hammer chisel in there to knock the bolt out with out having to pull the running boards and side skirt.
He is pipe fitter by trade and very smart and creative in making tools etc...
I will need to call Max Merritt to see if they have the bolts in stock. My friend did do some searching and found a place that has them but their prices for just the bolts is more then the whole Bolt and bushings kit from Max. Sure hope Max has them in stock.O and another thing the right front tire went flat.
-
3
-
-
How are these tubes holding up for you ?
I had a flat on the Packard a year or two ago and found that the brass stem came loose from the tube. The place I purchased the tubes and tyres from did not have any tubes in stock called around and found Lucas tire did but only with rubber stem. Finding out now another tire has a leak. Mind you these tyres are now 10 years old. My how time flies.
Thanks
Tom
-
Robert,
I had that happen to my battery a few years ago. House was struck by lightning. Blew out most of the electronics in the house and the battery in my Packard which I had on a tender.
Did you have any stroms in the area?
Sorry to see that happen to you.
Now I have everything on surge Protectors or go around and unplug electronics when there bad storms in the area.
-
1
-
-
Good morning
Friend picked up the Packard with his trailer yesterday. We got hit with high winds and a heavy down pour on the the way back to his house. Here he is blowing off the water
He will be installing the new leaf springs for me. I will help as much as I can.I should of taken some more photos.
From the back you can see it sure does lean to the passenger side. Once we got it dried off he raised it up we got under and sure enough the old spring are flat waving etc.
I am going to ask him to take some extra photos for me before disassemble it.
I hope the new springs will straighten out the camber issue on the front. Not sure the mileage since I installed the new tires but the front are really shafered. Going to need to replace them once we get camber, toe-in etc. dialed back in.
Have a great Sunday-
5
-
-
Beautiful
Looking forward to seeing some outdoor photos of it. 😎
-
Thanks guys. Can't believe it has been over 15 years since I did the restoration.
I have parts on it that still needs to be worked on. Bumpers needing chrome plating, have the leaf springs sitting in the garage waiting for a friend that has a lift and free from work to help me install the springs. Also need to look into the alignment. Front tires have excessive wear on them.
The Packard will be passed down to one if my nephews, that is when the time comes for me to hand over the keys. Hopefully they will keep the legacy going.
-
3
-
-
Beautiful day here in Woodridge IL
Took Bryce out for his first ride in Packard today.
-
7
-
1
-
-
-
-
Hi George,
I live somewhat near those towns and can possibly take a look at it for you.
Can you give me an idea on year and make?
-
Morning photo from last week drive into work
-
5
-
-
Brisk ride into work today. Not many days left until the salt flies....
-
I have purchased my headlight bulbs from this company dynamoregulatorconversions.com I am very pleased with the brightness of them. They are LED that's if you want to go that route.
-
I buy these from the nearest dollar store and place them in and around the car which I hope helps eliminates some of the moisture.
-
1
-
1
-
-
That is one outstanding clean up job you are doing.
-
2
-
1
-
-
Very nice. You earn a top of the line steak for all the work you have done. 🥩
-
Brad,
As I was going through their tech questions some more I found this.
"Leaf Finish
Mike,
Please can you inform what’s the best/correct finish for both the visible and invisible (IN THE STACK) parts of leaf springs?
A couple of people I know insist on painting them totally including all in between the leafs, the normal for them bondaprimer / undercoat / enamel topcoat layers.
(They do have to externally visually match body finish on some vehicles)
While I don’t have any expertise in this area at all (as the following may well prove!), it seems as it just chafes out in weeks from between the leafs, prevents grease type protection adhering, harbors dirt and causes more rust than otherwise…
Regards -Dave
Dave,
We do not recommend that any coating of any kind be applied to the inner surfaces of a leaf spring. The coating, whether it be paint or powder coating, WILL wear off due to interleaf friction. When the coating wears off, looseness between the leaves will appear. This looseness will allow the leaves extra movement which can cause premature breakage of the leaves or cause the center-bolt to shear.
The rusting between the leaves is a natural thing caused by the interleaf fiction.
Grease has an adverse reaction to spring steel which causes the steel to degrade and weaken the spring, so we do not recommend using grease/graphite between the leaves.
The appearance of rust is something that has to be lived with. See what I had to say about Painting vs. Powder Coating vs. Chroming springs.
-Mike"
I just got off the phone with Mike and he stated grease is not recommended.
Thanks for all your input
Tom
-
5
-
-
Nice work
I like the mustache and glasses, Is he disguising himself 🥸
-
2
-
-
Steve, Thanks. It will be interesting to hear what his mix is.
Brad, Thanks for the link. I did go through their tech questions and read that one about greasing but still not sure if the ones they made for me should be greased or not. I have not received a response/email back from Mike at Eaton.
There is some rust started to form between the leafs already so I need to get to the bottom of greasing or not.
-
I will post their answer when I hear back from them.
What are you working on right now?
in Our Cars & Restoration Projects
Posted
Gloomy day here so decided to give the GTO a quick waxing.