Kip56

Thanks Brian! I appreciate already the help I have received from this forum and look forward to sharing my experiences as I put my front end back together. It is currently down to the frame rails and the engine block awaiting the J6065 so that I can remove the front suspension. My Carib is the MES colors (Dover White, Danube Blue, Roman Copper) with the matching 92 Trim. (Although currently with no front end.) I tried to get to Hershey last year but work got in the way. Hopefully this year will work out as I have never been to the meca of car swap meets! Regards, Robert.

Gentlemen, I'm looking for feedback on replacing the V8 oil pan gasket. Are the current aftermarket oil pan gaskets worth the cost or are the Permatex or equivalent liquid gaskets as good or better? I am interested in anyone who has performed this task and any pitfalls experienced in the process. Thanks, Robert.

Hi Brian, I am new to the AACA Forum courtesy of Randy Berger. I have been a member of the Packard Club for about 2 years and which is how I began to correspond with Randy. Randy has been very helpful in answering seemingly any question I have had on the 56 Senior series. I have been into cars and into convertibles since I could pick up a standard socket set. I own a 1956 Caribbean convertible which was a Mid-West car all of its life and has significant rust. I live just north of Atlanta, Georgia. I currently have the front end off of the car and am painstaking going through everything from the engine, body, and suspension which is how I came to need the J6065 tool. I am certain to have more questions and appreciate the willingness of other owners to share their knowledge and experiences. Hopefully at some venue like the Hershey Meet I will have the opportunity to meet you and other V8 enthusiasts in person. Best Regards, Robert.

Bill, I've got you down for the last of our 10. No need to send a deposit as I will notify everyone once they are available and collect the money at that time. Thanks for going in on this with all of us and I will keep everyone posted as to Bob Berg's progress. Regards, Robert.

Brian, I will be glad to point additional people interested directly to Bob Berg once our 10 are all gone. Bob will have his 10 from the production run of 20. Thanks, Robert.

You got it Rick. Thanks! Down to one more available from our original 10. Regards, Robert.

Brian, Thank you for your reply and I have you down for one tool leaving 2 available. Like you, I see the value in taking Mr. Berg up on his offer knowing that quality material prices can go up and he specifically may not make any more after these 20. Best Regards, Robert.

Thank you everyone for your replies. I have the following count for the 10 tools: Randy - 1 Joel - 1 Robert - 2 Eric - 1 Bernardi - 1 Craig - 1 So 3 more available from the 10 being made for us. I will let everyone know when I have them in hand and then can start collecting money at that time and begin to ship them out. I appreciate everyone going in on this with me and even more credit to Bob Berg for his willingness to take the other ten to make it affordable. Best Regards, Robert.

Randy, Bob Berg has so much history with this tool and from what I have seen in photos turns out such a high quality product, that I figured, worst case I would give them to myself for Father's day this summer and then start giving them to my kids until they got interested in TL Packards. A win win situation. Thanks, Robert.

Joel, I will keep everyone posted as to Bob's progress. Got you down for one and am looking forward to using a couple myself. Thanks, Robert.

Randy, I just got off the phone with Bob Berg. He had mostly good news with a few caveats: - The cost of steel has increased a fair amount since he made his last tools in 1998 so he cannot maintain the original $75.00 price. His new price is going to be $89.50. - He arrived at the $89.50 price based on a minimum order of 20. He worked up scenarios of 6, 10 and 12 and could not get the price under $100. - He said if I could commit to 10 he would take a risk on the other 10 and sell them himself. I thought this was a reasonable offer from someone who is taking his own time to help out enthusiasts so I committed to the 10 on our end. This new information may change the minds of the folks on the forum who originally committed based on the price of $75.00. They can back out if the new price is too steep and no harm done. I am going to go ahead and send Bob a check for half the money upfront ($450) and he said he would get started right away. He said at the earliest it would take 2 weeks but no longer than 4 weeks to complete. I think to keep this simple for Bob, I will also go ahead and pay him the remaining ($450) balance plus shipping when he is done and receive all 10 here in Atlanta. At that time, I will be glad to ship to everyone still interested at $89.50 plus shipping. I may end up with a few left over but folks seem to need these from time to time so sooner or later I would be made whole. Thank you again Randy for all your help. Sincerely, Robert.