Bill Kennedy

Do you have an factory A/C car? If so, I would like to get pictures of the engine bay and car interior as I am trying to install an A/C unit.

Thanks for clarification!!!!!

This really looks like a neat installation. I checked the web site where you order them and they do not list the 1955-56 Packard, so I assume the one to buy would be for the 1955-56 Chevy. In looking at the photo of the installation on the Packard it also struck me that if it were repainted a silver color it would not stand out so much as being non-original. I am very concerned about keeping the car as original as possible with a couple of caveats--anything to do with safety (have installed seat belts--airplane type like those Packard used, but firmly attached to the floor, not the door), comfort (am putting in a new A/C system but may use an old compressor and brackets, but new evaporator and condenser and an underdash Vintage Air duct system) and reliability. The windshield wipers certainly fall into the safety catagory. My plan is after I get this thing cleaned up and debugged (the whole car I'm talking about) is to drive it from Virginia to south of Chicago and then as much as practical drive the entire Rt 66 route, then from California back to Virginia. Obviously I am concerned the thing will hold together for a 7,000 mile trip (I'd be concerned my new Chrysler would hold together for that trip!!!). I plan to spend about 18 months playing with this car to get it to the point I am comfortable with it. It has 52,000 miles, rebuilt engine, rebuilt transmission, new interior, reasonable paint, new tires (Coker 800-15 white walls which I just put on) BUT it sat in storage for 7 years. Have all sorts of little things wrong (fuel sending unit shot, runs rough, etc). Also, whoever did the work on it used some non standard hardware which I am replacing with original style. One of the advantages today is finding something like a 12-24 oval head phillips screw is a lot easier with the internet. Another question--anyone have electronic ignition installed on a 1955-56? I'm leaning toward doing that as, that too, is an easy thing to take off later if I become obcessed with originality. Anyone have any experience with these units on a Packard 352. Also want to comment on how great this forum and the members here are. I have other cars which have a much less "devoted" following and getting information about how to address problems on these cars is like hunting for the Holy Grail. Thanks to all who have been so kind to give me suggestions on this and other questions I have posted.

The vacuum windshield wipers on my 1955 400 do not work. Is there an "easy" way to convert these to electric and keep it from looking like a "Rub Goldberg" setup?

Thanks for the followup. I am planning on stripping a 1924 Maxwell and will use the products that you found to work for your car.

Does your underdash gauge read very differently from the factory gauge?

Great--thanks!!!

What I really mean is the only way to clean the sluge would be to drop the oil pan and remove the pump for cleaning externally--right?

How do you "unsluge" it?

One other comment--the pump that is in the car is giving me high oil pressure--almost pegging the gauge on the dash. When I take it into the shop next week they are going to measure the pressure with an external meter, but I fear the pressure relief valve is stuck. Another reason to replace the pump!

No, the pump is still in the car. I have a pump out of a parts cars, but it is boxed and I am going to send off PI. I decided to just go with their mod for now.

No, never been on TV!!!

Another question--is the oil pressure relief valve part of the oil pump assembly?

Does anyone have experience with the V8 oil pump modification offered by Packard International? I am thinking of having this done with my oil pump as insurance against the notorious lifer problem.

I am interested in what you are going to do for refrigerant. Since the old Packard system was designed for a refrigerant that is now banned and available only at extremely high cost, are you sure you will get enough cooling with the new refrigerant? I am planning on putting in a Vintage Air system in my 1955 400 do get around that problem. While it is hardly original it will cool the car--my primary concern.

I did not know this. I was going on the photo on Page 147 of Dennis Adler's book "Packard". Thanks,

Thanks--I sent him an e-mail. Your right, it is an unbelieable deal but I am out of room and also my wife has run out of patience with me!

Do any of the Seniors have A/C. I would be interested in purchasing the under the dash unit.

I paid $4500 for a MG, so your quote sounds VERY reasonable! As some else else pointed out, these cars are HUGE (my 400 is the same length as a Chevy Suburban!!!)--I could probably put the MG in the trunk of the 400.

Not sure I can help--my car does not have knee shocks. Can you send a picture of the area of the car you are working on to wckennedy@aol.com.

I have a 1924 if that will help

Do you still have copies of the Service Bulletins available for 1955 / 1956 Packard V8s? If so, let me know how much and where to send the $

Where did you find this? Also, what did Maxwell have in Dayton? I don't remember that being a plant site.

Sorry it took so long--I did not get to it before I had business. My 1924 Sport Touring car had a radiator emblem 2" wide and 2" long.

I have a 1924 Maxwell Touring Car with a Bryne-Kingston & Co. 39A vacuum fuel tank. I need to have it rebuilt. Anybody know of someone who can rebuild it?