JD in KC

Here are some better shots of the unit.

There are two sets of leads plus some accessory shunts, etc. There are two inputs for the wire leads. I'll get some clear photos of the wire sets and inputs tomorrow.

I purchased this on eBay and I managed to figure out how to use it to measure RPM. It did not come with the instruction manual and I need to check the dwell on a '50 Packard straight 8. Does anyone happen to have the instruction manual for this diagnostic tool that they could scan or photograph and email me a copy? Thanks!

Unless you specifically want an OPTIMA, you can find a battery that fits at NAPA. I use the NAPA narrow case battery in my '50 and have had no problems with it. It's considerably less expensive than the OPTIMA. I can't answer your question regarding a case for the OPTIMA hopefully someone else can.

Model Number? If it's a Custom Sedan and the chrome work needed involves the grill or the wraparound bumpers... you had better own a bank. Which engine, The easy to find 288, the harder to find 327 or the difficult to find 356? Does a/t mean Automatic Transmission? If so, 1950 was the first year for Packard's Ultramatic. A first generation Ultramatic is not going to be cheap if you can find one, (and then try to find somebody competent to work on it). Any rust issues at all? A picture is worth 1000 words.

It's looking good. I've been through several migrations (mainframe) in my life.. I don't envy you. Just figuring out what's really a problem and what's 'System Design' can drive you nuts for the first few days. Congratulations.

My favorite is the '48 Packard in "Patton" (during WW2).

Wow! And here I always thought the giant Chrome Cormorant perched on the hood of my '50 Packard was way over-the-top. That is one amazing hood ornament. Wonder how much it weighs?

Interesting. I attended a small, local car show last Saturday put on by the local Cadillac Club to benefit... a Service Dog organization. There were about 60 cars in attendance including my '50 Packard. People, cars and dogs all got along just fine. The Service Dogs were the best behaved of the bunch; they didn't lean on my car, put their shoe on the bumper, or scratch the fenders with their belt buckle while peering at the straight 8 under the hood. It was a fun show.

See if you can find the number stamped on the engine block just below the head on the drivers side. Believe it's towards the rear on a 288. Not real easy to see. With that number you can tell if your engine is not original to the car. For a 1948 22nd series 288 the number should be between G200001 and G303000. This assumes your model number isn't really 2293-9 3851 which would make it a '49 22nd series with a different engine number range (G303001 - G350000). With a few odd exceptions the engine color was gray for that year.

Don't know for sure, I'm going to try.

According to the chart that came with a tire catalog, 845-15 converts to 225-75R15. The 845-15 had an average height of 28.6" and the 225-75R15 has an average height of 28.1". Anyway, that's what the catalog says. Edit: Well... Bob hit the enter key while I was looking for the catalog. Nice reference.

Just a note... the Branson meet is June 22-26, not July.

The Apple Hydraulics website shows 1430DA and CA as belonging to 1937-1948 Chevrolet trucks. Maybe close?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: simplyconnected</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Do you know the Emporer's official car is a Buick? Always has been. GM is healthy in China. </div></div> Uh... The last Emperor of China abdicated in 1912. Just thought I'd mention it.

From the chrome side it does look very similar to the 22nd/23rd series (1948-50) Packard grill side trim but from the backside I'd say no. The Packard trim has several attachment points with a different orientation. The Packard trim of that period would have cast part numbers. Also, the Packard trim screws on using bolts (tapped hole), not studs.

No guide that I'm aware of. When you check it out don't forget... 6V <span style="text-decoration: underline">Positive</span> ground.

That would be the Philco 8 tube radio for the 22nd and 23rd Series (1948-1950) Packards all models. They are pretty common and come up on eBay frequently. The value of this radio isn't very high.

Pete, Sorry, should have worded my response better. I was just confirming that 0.004 was probably the 'factory' correct clearance along with a Packard reference. Wasn't questioning your reasoning and decision to be more conservative at all.

I believe 0.004" is correct: http://www.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/1929_ServiceManual.pdf

Yes, the '41 was an all-steel body.

4 cylinder?

I have a 1950 Custom 8 Sedan. I think it is a prime example of a unique car style that lasted for just a very short time (4 years?) and as such, is a car I'm proud to own. Is it bulbous? You bet it is. Is it big? Yep. Is that enormous chrome Cormorant perched on the hilltop of a hood kinda 'over-the-top'? Yeah, I'd say so. But you know, the car always draws an appreciative crowd at all the local car shows I've taken it to. The dash may not be as stylish as the Cadillac of the period, but the classic highly polished woodgrain is a knockout. I think what Packard accomplished with the Clipper facelift was nothing short of amazing. As has been pointed out by others, the bathtub Packards represent a style that was used by many car makers during the post-war period but the style lost popularity (kinda like tailfins). The bathtub Packards may not qualify as beautiful in the minds of some, but I personally feel that they qualify as an impressive example of the bathtub style and as such, are a visual slice of US automotive history. Beautiful? Maybe not... but it's sure fun having one.

The 1935 - 1941 Parts list shows the same thing with the different part numbers for the 1801/1901 models. No Pictures/drawings.

I think the brake cylinders from the later years are actually smaller than the earlier ones (certainly smaller than your 1570/50!). Personally, I wouldn't mess with the engineering when it comes to brakes.