55PackardGuy

Sounds like a plan. If it's inconvenient to mount a filter back by the tank in this case it probably wouldn't be worth a lot of jacking around--especially since you put in new lines. I'd say in general, though, a filter back by the tank eliminates a lot of guesswork about where the crud is coming from. Yours is one of those mysteries you can be pretty confident will be solved with a little patience--it's a relatively "good" problem to have! Let us know what you find out, please.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The troublesome part of the lining is actually the lining ends on each shoe. I have seen mechanics use a rough file or grinder to smooth down the lining ends to make the shoes fit better. If you don't grind the lining to fit the drum, the brakes will eventually wear down the high spots until the lining does fir the drum.</div></div> As noted above, grinding the ends will also generally mean quieter bracks as they "wear down." I think this makes sense--the leading edge of a squared-off new shoe will be "stubbed" into the drum surface, and much more likely to set up a vibration like a reed in a wind instrument... "screee." The mechanic I have seen grind down shoes (my father) told me that was the main reason for scuffing them--noise. He ought to have known, he had to keep customers happy for 35 years (some of them the same customers all those years). <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Randy, Even though it sounds like you replaced the fuel line, please consider putting the in-line filter as close to the tank as possible. Reason being, you'll otherwise be pumping possibly dirty fuel through the whole line and crudding <span style="font-style: italic">that</span> up. Get a nice big clear plastic filter, and mount it near the frame rail where you can peek at it and easily change it out. Many a fuel tank has been cleaned "one filter at a time." I'm doing it on my boat right now! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> But if you paid to get the tank sealed and are still collecting crud in that initial filter by the tank, back it goes. And, with the filter there, you can PROVE that the crud is in the tank.

Here, they don't have a choice. 10% ethanol is mandated, and it's likely to go higher--as high as 20% they say. That'll be interesting. But if you're ever in the state again, you can usually get non-oxygenated lead free, and you'll know it if you find it: the pump will be clearly marked, with lots of restrictions. It's reserved for motorcycles, off-road vehicles, small engines, and "classic" cars--whatever you call classic I guess. Just make sure your "classic" has a full-sized filler tube. And be prepared to get higher octane than you might like, as they go with at least a "mid-grade" one-size-fits-all octane. Usually not good for low-comression engines, but the carbon buildup is probably better than having a carb seal meltdown or constant fuel percolation in hot weather!

Very nice town, Stillwater. Hope you can come and maybe I'll get better at coordinating my weekends by then. It sure was strange I couldn't spot a car on Sunday. I was out there before 2:00. Very odd deal. and probably mostly due to my brain condition--JGU, or Just Generally Unaware. Anyway, keep in touch, you never know what might happen! BTW, now that "The Race" is over for Rochester, that's still no excuse to stop updating us on your Wildcat and other projects. Might as well use this thread, it's a good one! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Ah, but you can get yourself an old Dodge or Plymouth and have a handy-dandy DRAIN PLUG in the tank. What a nice feature! They really expected those cars to be in service for 60 years or so, it seems. (P15 and D24, 1946-1948 Plymouth and Dodge, had this feature for sure) Randy, doing it twice just assures you that you really know how to do it right next time. It's your internal Master mechanic teaching you a lesson in Zen car maintenance. I know this to be true. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Also of interest--the original fully integrated torsion bar suspension prototype by William D. Allison was called a "cyclecar." I imagine that, although this name was adopted by a manufacturer at one point, it was probably used informally on various occasions by people who built cars using bicycle components (Allison used bicycle wheels and an Indian motorcycle engine.) Of course, this design evolved into the famous "Torsion-Level" suspension introduced on 1955 Packards. Allison peddled it to Hudson, (where he worked as a consultant) Studebaker, Ford, Chrysler, GM and Kaiser before getting the green light to install it in a 1951 Packard prototype and develop it from there... all the while officially still employed by Hudson, on a leave of absence, and receiving 6 months' salary and insurance from them!* Strange days, indeed -John Lennon *Kimes--<span style="font-style: italic">Packard, A History of the Motorcar and the Company</span>, pg 590-591

Be Careful. That car might now be capable of time travel. (See "Back to the Future," "Repo Man," and "Buckaroo Banzai" for details and how-to-proceed.)

Congrats on making Rochester--and I saw that Sinclair station. I hope they let him keep the sign, but they usually yank them. I've heard it's pretty easy to stay open if you can buy out the station--getting gas is a cinch, every supplier wants you. BTW, now you have to look around Howell, MI for one of those friendly "clear gas" pumps. Or did you decide to stay in Rochester? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Glad you fellas all made it to Rochester (and back) safe and sound. Derek, did you have any trouble with the Wildcat at all? How was cooling in the high-90 temps? <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Guy, you missed...everything. </div></div> Adam, Nope, no, I did not. I must disagree. I saw right where all you guys had been parked. It looked like the "rapture" had happened, and NO ONE was "Left Behind." Of course, what do you do in Rochester MN on a Sunday afternoon when it's 100 degrees out? (Or, really, any Sunday afternoon.) Tell you what I did--cussed you all out for leaving at the drop of a hat, went and got a barbecue at that great rib joint, and pondered... how could that many vehicles get out of town all at once and me not spot a single one on Highway 52, or anywhere on any street in Rochester? I saw not a SINGLE straggler. No classic Buicks or any old cars of any kind--except a couple Spifires in a nice fella's yard where he was working on em. I saw what looked like it might have been a car trailer at the Civic Center park, but it was probably just the equipment van for 38 Special. The free concert got me to thinking--uv course! They kicked you all out as soon as possible to start setting up for the big rock-and-roll extravaganza. But, it was still a remarkable achievement to get all those Buicks out of town that fast, and leave not a trace. Well, maybe next year, when I suppose I'll have to drive a thousand miles. (cue violins) It's not the first event I've ever shot for and missed and won't be the last, I'm sure. I just absolutely could not make it Saturday... I was finishing buying a car. But THAT is a different story, and I don't want to talk about it now (maybe never). CONGRATS on the trophy, Adam. You know how to make those old cars pretty. And what I like is you don't just go buy repro or NOS stuff and slap it on--you really restore stuff. And, basically, you know what's most important of all: clean and paint. Not only does this work for looks, but I find it's the key to troubleshooting and figuring out how things work mechanically. Whenever I'm stuck on a job, I always try to ask myself: "what could I clean?" Then, things usually fall into place. Just my opinon, man. Glad you all seem to have had a pretty good experience here in Minnesnowta. Come back in 5 months, you'll have few complaints about the heat--and everything'll look really different. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

carbdoc, Thanks much for the adjusting info. Is this from a manual or just hard-earned experience? The tip about the new studs is great--less work the next time around! <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My original service manuals (circa 1960 - '61) detail how to contour (grind) the new brake shoes to match the freshly-turned drums. Obviously, most of us are not going to do this.</div></div> I might be able to she some light on this one... if I remember correctly from 25 or 30 years ago. Watching my dad do brake jobs, he always "scuffed" the ends of the fresh linings. It didn't look like a tricky operation at all--but then he could make almost anything look easy--all it did was angle off the sharp edge of the shoe lining. He did it on a bench grinder. Of course, in those days, this was a DANGEROUS operation, although no one knew it at the time. Almost all brake linings had asbestos fibers, and the grinding operation threw clouds of contaminated dust in the air. My dad lived to be 82, and he died of a stroke. It's likely that the reason he never contracted asbestosis after 35 years of breathing brake dust almost weekly is that the asbestos fibers were ground into fine powder, and apparently it's the long fibers that do the damage. Still, it's interesting. As far as the benefits of scuffing or "contouring" the shoe ends, I don't believe that the pulsing "ABS" feel of your brakes would likely result from the lack of lining contouring. I'm pretty sure that the contouring was done simply to keep the new linings from squeaking or vibrating. Pulsing would be much more likely due to out-of-round drums. Even though they were turned, that doesn't always last, especially if the drums are near their wear limit--the thinner the metal the sooner it warps. You might need to replace that "last component" in the system.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When you swipe your credit card at the pump, it calls the bank to get a pre-approval for a abitrary amount (like $50) and to validate that the card is valid.</div></div> I guess given this description, I have been "pre-paying" for gas with my credit card, the pump just doesn't know how much I'll eventually "pre-pay" for! In my innocence, I didn't know that it has already set a limit (I think they'll have to up the limit, as 50 bucks won't buy much gas any more) <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Adam, Hope you get this... I plan to be in Rochester Sunday aft. Hope everyone hasn't left already! The PDF I made of the daily schedule only lists through Saturday, so I don't know what I'm in for. It would be great to be there and see all youse AACA fellas get trophies! Take care. Sure is hot out, ain't it? Welcome to Minnesota, land of 150 degrees of temperature variation in any given year! (this is not an exaggeration, folks) <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Forget about finding rubber stems with oval bases--I don't think they exist anywhere. But you don't need tubes, nor would it be a good idea to use tubes with regular stems through the oval holes, IMO. What happens is, even if they don't leak at first, the stems are likely to get cut--especially if you have full wheel covers as the stems will move around and cut themselves on the metal. They'll probably get cut on the wheel itself eventually. <span style="font-weight: bold">WHAT YOU NEED</span> is the type of stem that is THREADED to take a nut that locks it tight. I got these installed at a plain old "Mr. Tire" store on tubeless tires--never leaked. Just about any tire store should have them, but if you still have trouble, I've heard that stores selling truck equipment and tires are a sure bet. No worries, mate! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Is there any way to "pre-pay" at the pump with a credit card? I've never thought that was possible--if it's pre-pay, you have to go inside first, right? Around here in Minnesota, they have LOTS of surveillance cameras and, of course, they get the license numbers on tape. Drive-offs are vigorously prosecuted. You can almost always pay afterward--inside or outside--almost all stations are strictly self-serve, and sometimes the pumps on the islands farthest from the building are pre-pay. Some stations leave the credit card pumps on all night unattended. You pays your money and drives away. Sometimes you even pump gas in the dark! On the subject of full-service, I think it's a great opportunity to provide summer labor for teens, and any-weather labor for Community Service Convicts. Why not? It's a community service! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Also on the topic of full service, when my dad's station was on U.S. Highway 71 in the '40s and '50s, he was the first filling station on the north end of town. Often, he was the only employee, doing repairs AND pumping gas AND washing every single windshield in bug-infested, salt-infested Minnesota. This was business as usual! TRUE STORY: One day a car pulls up to the pumps and the driver honks the horn (not necessary because of the bell cord) and dad drops his work and goes out in the hot sun and approaches the driver's door. Dad says "Fill er up?" or whatever. Fella says: "Oh, I don't need any gas. Can you tell me how to get to..." and goes on to ask for directions! So dad starts peering down pointedly into the car window towards the driver's knees. Driver says, "What you looking at?" Dad says, "I just wondered if you had any legs in there" and walks away. He never needed to make up funny stories about running a service station. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> BTW, gas pumps in those days DID NOT have automatic shutoffs, so you pumped the gas first and THEN washed the windshield and, if asked, checked the tires, oil, water, battery... if you weren't too busy, you did it without being asked.

Well, Kev posted a link to this Packard tidbit from Wikipedia on his "Ultramatic" thread, and when I asked if anyone could challenge it as a "Packard First" there were no takers--so HERE IT IS: <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also new that year [1956] was an aluminum transmission casing, making the Ultramatic 90 lb (41 kg) lighter than its competition. Future transmissions from all manufacturers were to follow Packard's lead.</div></div> It certainly indicates that Packard pioneered the aluminum automatic transmission case, at least in the U.S. if not the world. Not an insignificant achievement! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> If this "first" is not definitively challenged here, I will also post it on Wayne's AACA General Forum "Packard Firsts?" thread, and if it passes muster there IT'S GOING ON "THE LIST!"

People will be looking at the CAR, Derek... I should have said, "At least your CAR will look cool." knowatmsayin? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I'm the Baby, ya gotta love me! NOT THE MAMA <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> That show is really worth a look if you haven't seen it. Roberta, this IS on topic!

Think I have the "message" figured out: fossil fuels = dinosaurs! Does anyone remember the great muppet-style TV show "Dinosaurs"? Remember the name of the dinosaur family? The "Sinclairs"... hee hee <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> http://www.tv.com/dinosaurs/show/4176/summary.html

I'm off to find the oldest, grubbiest Jeep mechanic in town. Thanks Frank! Many thanks also to Baron and Reg... those sound like good deals if I can't "beg or borrow!" <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Can we please give the whole PH thing a rest for good? Derogatory posts will just attract responses from him... do you miss him? I'm sure he's still reading this forum. How much salt in the wound is enough? That's all I'm saying. Don't get me wrong, laughter is good, but laughter at someone else's expense is not, IMO. One other thing, if 1965V12P would please post under his ORIGINAL REAL Avatar, I would be very pleased. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Mr. PB, Were any of those V8 Packards for sale? Please let us know. Thanks.

Yes, I've heard of that one on the forum "from the horse's mouth." I can't remember who posted it, but he SOLD THE '54 PACKARD TO FORD! Remember who that was, anybody? Or please re-post if it was you. The "Big 3" not only scavenged and downright stole engineering from Packard when Packard was in business, but later "picked the bones" of Packard after it's demise--said demise due in part to GM's sweetheart procurement deal with the U.S. military that froze out Packard and other independents. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Remember how Chrysler (Plymouth and Dodge) and Ford (Mercury) came out with similar front-end styling to the '55 Packard in their '56 models, too? Hee hee. Dick Teague must've been smiling! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Frank, please, if you can tell me, <span style="font-style: italic">where</span> can one look for a puller to rent? Thanks for the "driving it loose" tip. It happens the car is on a small farm where there is ample field space for just that kind of maneuvering! Thanks again.

Kev, Thanks for the Ultramatic link and the heads-up on the other Packard topics in Wikipedia. While I'm no automotive historian, I didn't see anything about the Ultramatic and Twin-Ultramatic that seemed to misstate anything, and also learned some things about the '56 transmission, for instance I never knew that in '56 Packard reverted to calling the '55 "T/U" the "Ultramatic" again--apparently to please the powers-that-were at GM. Particularly interesting was the comment of the shift anomalies to "high" (direct drive?) that the Wikipedia writeup said caused premature clutch wear. Fine tuning of shift points was apparently in order. I do know my father successfully modified at least one '55 transmission for improved reliability after it initially failed. His theory was that slippage and subsequent overheating of the direct drive clutch was the culprit in many failures of '55 Twin Ultramatics. The exact mods that he made will never be known, as he took the details "to the grave" with him as far as I can tell. Also, dare I post this over on the Packard Firsts list: <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also new that year was an aluminum transmission casing, making the Ultramatic 90 lb (41 kg) lighter than its competition. Future transmissions from all manufacturers were to follow Packard's lead.</div></div> Did Packard pioneer the aluminum transmission case? (The statement indicates the "competition," which implies perhaps that they mean Packard was the first U.S. mfr. with an aluminum trans case.) I would question the statement that Borg Warner and GM had much of a legitmate claim to coming up with their own locking torque converter designs, as Kimes states that the BW and GM units were based on Packard's original Ultramatic design: <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"In its day, Ultramatic was the perfect transmission. Borg-Warner later used its direct-drive clutch principle in its own unit (sold to Studebaker until 1956 and to Jaguar for many years thereafter). So did GM's own transmissions for buses." Kimes pg 537 </div></div> To me, this statement implies that the GM and BW lockup converter transmissions were knockoffs of Packard's Ultramatic. For all of GM's blather about the Packard "Twin Ultramatic" infringing on their "Dual Range Hydramatic" I think it's a case of the bigger company having more money to pursue law suits--Packard probably had a legitimate case against GM and Borg Warner. Many years later, Chrysler also "adopted" Packard's design (poorly, at first) for their first direct lock-up introduced in 1978.

... but you'll sure LOOK cool!