26-27 Packard Model 343, How do I check the Oil Quantity?

[SSMcDonald]

OK, I know its a dumb question for those who recognize a dipstick or a gauge. But my Lhead, 384.8 cu in 8 has NEITHER (that I can find). On the left side where a dipstick should be is a substantial lever that rotates 90 degrees, but does not remove. Turning this lever dumps oil out of the pan.

[TexRiv_63]

Not sure about Packard, but my 28 Pierce had two ports with rotating levers on the oil pan. One was mounted low at the back and was used to drain out the oil, the second was mounted higher up on the side and was used to check oil level. With it open you added oil until it came out, then closed it.

[DavidMc]

I am not familiar with the set up on your 343 Packard but it sounds the same as my 126. There is a valve on he side of the oil pan that is located around the full level of the pan so when refilling with oil this is opened and oil overflows out when the pan is full. By overfilling a little this can be opened to make sure that the oil level is above the valve. When the oil level is below the valve there is no way of knowing the oil level. Not one of Packards finer features!

I fitted a dipstick to mine that is inside the oil filler funnel but this can only be done with the engine out because you need to make a tube that guides the dipstick preventing it from making contact with the crankshaft. You might be able to get an indication of oil level by improvising a dipstick using wire down one of the holes in the base of the oil filler funnel but make sure you remove it before starting car otherwise it could tangle with the crankshaft.