tbirdman

Yesterday I met the owner of a 34 Super 8 Coupe who also had his car at the show which was amazing just in the fact that two early 30s Packards were there. He is a well known Packard collector in this area though his collection is substantially down. He gave me his card and invited me over to his shop so we could drive each others cars. We were talking about my slipping out of high gear problem which coincidently he solved for a 34 Packard owner a few years ago. The transmission wasn't aligned with the motor properly. Anyway I mentioned I was considering replacing my 4 speed with a 3 speed. Both are correct for 32 903s as both 3 speeds and 4 speeds were used in the 32 model year. Mine being a late delivery in August 32 could have been either 3 speed or a 4 speed as 3 speeds were used in the second half of the model year. He mentioned he has a 36 3 speed that he would like to swap as he loves the sound of the 4 speeds. Funny, I wanted the 3 speed as that was the quieter more advanced transmission for that year with synchro in all gears unlike the 4 speed with synchro only in the top two. Would replacing the 32 4 speed with a 36 3 speed hurt the value of the car?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I didn't want to hijack the thread discussing the Harrah Collection but did want to post that we had the opportunity to tour the Harold LeMay collection in Tacoma this past weeekend. Very cool! They have plans to develop a fabulous museum with a ground breaking in 2007 and planned opening in 2009. The City of Tacoma has given them land next to the Tacoma Dome for the project. We were told that many of the significant cars were at the LeMay residence but we thoroughly enjoyed viewing the collection of about 450 cars at the Marymont location. There was a room for Buicks, truck room, an area full of Chevrolets, a Tucker, many nice 1920s, 1930s and 1940s vehicles. The main barn was jammed full of 1950s, 1960s and 1970s vehicles. I think that we took over 300 photos of our favorite cars. There was also an assortment of fire trucks, ambulances, street cars, double decker buses, depot hacks, hucksters, Yellowstone truck, large trucks, small trucks, small cars, delivery trucks, etc. They are in a wide range of condition from needing restoration to very nice and many are in original condition. What a nice collection. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> www.lemaymuseum.org </div></div> You only saw half of the Lemay Collection . The other half will be open Aug 26 this year to see the whole collection.

I just thinking that it may be just the unusual hot weather. The car ran fine before. In fact when the car was having the coil issues, I ran the car in the garage for 30 minutes with no issues. I would think this would be the worse case scenerio with only air from the fan being drawn through the radiator. I do plan to flush the radiator. The engine had been rebuilt fairly recent so I hope they would have cleaned the block.

Well I have been having fun driving my 32 Packard and attending car shows/cruise ins with it. It does sure draw attention. I think I get about 10 smiles to the mile. I also have been getting attention from the hot rodders and the muscle car guys. I even get thumbs up from kids in their rice burners <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Anyway the car has been running fairly cool except yesterday we had 100 desgree weather in Oregon. The car was running a little warmer than normal especially going up hills but still was in the driving range on the temp gauge. The last hills (about a 1/4 mile) going into my neighborhood it is pretty steep (10-14 degree)plus I was going slow, the temp guage climbed to hot. As I entered the garage, the radiator burped over the the floor and you could hear the radiator boiling. Since the car has run so well in normal temp conditions, should I consider this just an abnormal condition with the high temperatures and the fcat that the car was sitting in the hot sun all day long. The day before the car ran fine in 90 degree weather. Also the day before, the clutch pedal didn't return. This only happeny once, but I had to lift the pedal with my foot. It seemed to work fine after that. I assume that it might be weather related.

Tom, I'll email some pictures tonight. Tbirdman aka pcardman

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tbirdman - that is one hellava beautiful car. I consider all cars from 1932 to be the most beautiful cars ever. And you should change your name from Tbirdman to Packardman - or something like that! Maybe Pcardman? ....................................Steve [color:"red"] </div></div> Well maybe I will. However my domain is tbirdman.com. I got a domain because I was tired of changing my email all the time. Maybe I should have made it more general like carnut.com <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Thanks for the compliment on the car.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Who was the body builder on the Rolls? </div></div> Gurney Nutting

I found some alemite to zerk adapters from Automotive Restoration Supply if anyone needs them so you can can use your standard grease gun for zerk fittings. Not cheap but handy. I order a few for a friend as he maintains a 1918 LaFrance Fire Truck. Automotive Restoration Supply I ended up using 50W oil for the water pump since that's what I use in the Bijur system.

My 32 Packard had J11Cs in it. It is the same 14mm, 3/8" reach plug as the RJ12C. I replaced them with AC44s IU got off of EBAY. I also have a set of AC45s just in case. There's a lot of them on Ebay for around $20 for a set of 8 for winning bids. I went with AC because Champions were slammed big time in this forum.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I found some strange grease fittings on the driveshaft of my 645, so I changed them to zerk fittings. I think that is what I would do at the waterpump also. Some waterpumps have an Oil tube (with spring loaded cover) instead of a grease fitting, so make sure it is a grease fitting before changing it to a zerk. Pumps that have a felt filled oil chamber require about 30 Weight oil, instead of heavy grease. </div></div> It does have a spring loaded top so it perhaps is a oil fitting. So looks like I'll use some 30W oil.

I have a lubrication fitting on the water pump. It's not a grease fitting like a zerk or alemite. What kind of lubrication should I use. I couldn't find anything on this.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Who was the body builder on the Rolls? </div></div> I believe it's the stock Continental body.

And here's the 1902 Holsman

Here's a better one of the rolls...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">t'man, Sure rub it in as my car stands on its stand in my garage at home. Just kidding thanks for sharing. That color sure does look different in the natural light. I like it. But my wife likes the color of my car now maroon. But I am a long long way from choosing a color. So she may change her mind. If it weren?t for this forum I would have never seen that color and had the opportunity of getting a sample. Thanks for sending the paint stick with sample on it. </div></div> Here's a shot of the color with more light and a better camera. The color does get a lot of comments; all are positive in that vein that it makes the car look understatingly elegant.

Final one...

And another

Another picture

Here are some pictures of a car show I attended last weekend with my friends 34 Rolls and 1902 Holsman. We were definitely out of place with all of the street rods and muscle cars.

In your experience what's the nicest way to tell people not to touch or mess with the car at a show without offending them. Most people are very careful, but then you have that have no common sense. I had one guy with his hands on the rumble seat step, trying to bounce my car up and down. I asked him not to touch the car and then he denied touching the car. His friend then said "You were touching the car". Other examples were a guy was trying to pull the manual turn signals up on the Rolls next to me, another opened the Rolls door to look inside, and then another couple's dog was on my running board whiile they were looking at the Rolls next to them. Of course there were the usual mix of skate boaders, bikes, strollers, scooters and key chains <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> It's not that I want to obsess over the car, but I would like people to exercise some common sense. I actually let a couple kids sit in the car and get their picture taken. One was so interested in the car, I thought if he had a creeper, he would had been under the car. As it was, he was way under the fenders. That is the fun part of the shows when these young kids show enthusiasm for these cars. Oh yes, the best of show car for this 600+ cars show was a plastic body 32 Ford with a SBC. I'm wondering if the club members picking the best of show, have any imagination. But I did have fun at the show, dressed in my 30s period garb of knickers, bowtie, v neck sweater and spectator shoes. I did get asked a lot to get my photo taken with the car. I'll post some when I get a chance. My friend with the 34 Rolls also had a 1903 Holsman buggy. He started it up once an hour and that sure drew a crowd with the noise from a 1 cylinder engine.

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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have judged at CCCA events and at several concours including Pebble Beach. At Pebble you can show top up or down, whatever you think is the best advantage for your car. As judges we are allowed to ask an owner to either put down a top that is up to make sure it will fold, or put up a top that is down to make sure it looks nice. I have never seen a judge at Pebble do either, and I can say that I doubt that any judge there would make a deduction for a wrinkled top. With modern materials, I don't think that it is a huge problem anyway. CCCA requires that power tops work and I have never seen anyone move their top more than half an inch, so I don't think most judges are overly critical. </div></div> I guess it depends on the show. At the local Forest Grove Concours the judges made me raise my top. At the Thunderbird concours last year the car had to start with the top up and then lowered.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Coupe-roadsters look great with the top up or down. It's the convertible victorias and sedans that don't look so great with the top down. As for the rumble lid, I prefer to see the nice smooth lines of the car, so IMHO it looks better closed. That goes for mounting an accessory trunk as well. It's a nice feature (and possibly a conversation starter), but it looks better without being on the car. </div></div> I have come to agreement with you on the trunk which I was considering earlier. It just doesn't seem to fit on a coupe roadster.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Boy am I jealous of you all that can drive your cars as this warm weather is hitting us. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />. Maybe I should sell my HD and buy a running car while the '31 is down. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> </div></div> That's why I sorta enjoy the 6 months of rainy weather and 6 months of great sunny weather here in Oregon. It gives me time to do those winter projects on cars. It would kill me live in a place with a great climate year round because I would not want to put the car(s) out of commission at all.

I've been having a blast with my 32 Packard especially since the bad coil was replaced. No more coming home on a flatbed...which the neighbors were quick to point out that they had seen the car on a flatbed <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> I've been getting to know the car and so far as reveal a few things that need to be remedy, but nothing to serious. Been keeping it at 55 or below which seems fast enough for traffic flow around Portland. Weather warmed up enough this week to take the top down. I have an ongoing discussions with my neighbors regarding two things. Does the car, a 32 coupe roadster, look better with the top up or down. I think it looks better with the top up, but most think it looks better with the top down. Second, should the rumble seat compartment be closed while driving with no passengers in the rumble seat or should you have it open even if you have a passenger back there. Just curious about your opinions especially since I'm always 180 degrees out of phase with the majority here <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />