Hello, I'm new here.

[Guest]

Firstly I want to thank MBL for telling me about this place.

I was registered before but I forgot my information, I probably posted a couple of times last year.

I'm 42, married with 2 children and (takes a deep breath) a hot rodder and customizer.

What brings me here is that I've built a '34 Ford five window coupe with a '56 Packard drivetrain. The whole entire drivetrain, 3 speed overdrive and rear end too.

At our car show I was lucky enough to fall into a dual quad intake for very little cash.

I'm toying with the idea of using this set up.

MBL already started a thread pertaining to this subject.

My owner's handbook doesn't go into details about the differences in the front and rear carb. I have but one front, which is how the car's running right now.

If anyone could enlighten me as to differences, carb #'s etc, I'd love to know.

I have no issue with clearance as I'm eunning the car hoodless.

I hope you don't mind the intrusion of a hot rodder. Make no mistake that I love ALL kinds of cars, and since I used a Packard engine I've learned a lot about this fine and dearly departed marque.

[RO]

Brian, GC, do you know what that stands for? I've asked several folks and looked in reference material and have not yet found the answer.

[WCraigH]

Packford; Do you have any pics that you can post?

[MBL]

Glad to see your back Nads! You should post some pics of your rod. Its all sorts of fun!

Tim

MBL

[Guest]

BH, you're a mine of information, I appreciate it very much.

I'd love to post some pics of my jalopy but I don't know how.

I'm thinking I oughta look into buying a pair of matched modern carbs for the setup, but at the same time it seems foolish to mess with a fine running set up.

I don't know if I mentioned that a fellow hotrodder was the one who sold me the Packard drivetrain in the first place. It was a measly $150 for the whole kit 'n' kaboodle. The drivetrain was some extra stuff that came with a gorgeous unrestored '56 Packard Carribean Convertible. The guy cried when he sold the car.

I had a few mishaps along the way.

The engine turned freely when I bought it, but after it was installed it locked up. I managed to free it again but when it first started it made a horrible popping noise. It was diagnosed as a stuck exhaust valve and I was only a few days away from it's debut at our car show. I had to have that one valve guide repaced and it was then that I discovered how expensive Packard parts were. $40 for one head gasket? Yipes.

Several months of driving later it threw a connecting rod whilst coming home from work on the internet. The rod exited the block on the right side close to the oil dip stick tube and pan. After a teardown I found that neither the piston nor the bore were damaged. A new connecting rod and some judicious use of JB weld on the cracked block had me back on the road.

I still don't know what caused this to happen, perhaps the notorious oiling situation present from the factory. I'll be honest, the car isn't exactly babied.

It is driven on a regular basis, to and from work, to get groceries etc.

Also she ain't exactly purdy either, just an extremely chopped drag strip survivor.

I look forward to BSing with you folks.

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

Packford. When u need parts take a look at the thread in this forum titled "55-56 Xref". Feel free to add any parts or info that u find that will fit the 55 or 56 Packards or Clippers. We do not use the X-ref for interactive dialoge. We Only use it to list parts that retro-fit or cross fit from other cars or parts that are available from local parts stores. Hope it helps you when u need parts. Hopefuly a cost savings too. It has been for me.

[Guest Randy Berger]

A great story and a testament to JB Weld - I've used it for a lot of repairs.

I'm not knowledgeable enough to discuss the carb setup. I know engineers take into account float height, cfm, linkage coinciding with the TU TRANNY setup, etc. and a dual carb setup is touchy to adjust even when you have the exact right carbs. Good luck and hope you post some pics.

YFAM, Randy Berger

[Guest]

Hi. I am new here today. I think that maybe it was not quite correct to state that only the Caribbean had the dual quad setup. I have a '55 Patrician that has the 352 and dual four barrels and the "batwing" filter. It has the correct cream colored valve covers and '55 stampings. The car was one of the last '55's produced and came with every option except AC. It has the original Packard fog lights and spotlights. I am very confident that this is how the vehicle was produced as it would not make much sense to put in the dual barrel affair and batwing into a vehicle of less value than the Caribbean. My current problem is that I cannot locate a picture of the dual carb setup and how the fuel filter is located in the scheme of things. Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanx, John.

[Guest]

Hi Brian. It's sounds as if I have an enigma. I did not have a factory Carter

fuel filter and just picked up one on ebay. The fuel line comes up from the fuel pump and tees to the two carbs and I suspect that it should be before that tee which would put it to the side just behind the the oil fill pipe. Before I put it on, I would like to know for sure. I got my info for the coloring of the valve cover from a service bulletin 7/15/55(attachment). John

[Guest]

Brian, I see that I did not get the attachment to open properly, so I'll just

write it out...

Subject: SERVICE ENGINES - 55TH SERIES

Service replacement engines Part Number 458621, for models 5560 and 5580 are identical and were specified to be painted ivory color and equipped with Packard rocker covers. However, production built a number of these service engines (Part Number 458621) that were painted blue and had Clipper rocker covers.

In cases where the service replacement engine is painted the wrong color, we

suggest you paint it the proper color and install the rocker covers from the engine that was removed.

Listed below are the engine color schemes as supplied in new production cars:

5540 - Clipper Deluxe, Clipper Super -- Red with Clipper Covers

5560 - Clipper Custom -- Blue with Clipper Covers

5580 - Packard -- Ivory with Covers

The casting number on top of the flywheel housing may be checked to further identify the engines. The 3-3/16" bore engine (5540) will have casting number 4465521 while the 4" bore engine (5560-80) wil have casting number 440275.

[Guest]

Brian, that would be great to see that setup on the Caribbean. I see what the proper paint design should be now looking at plate #27, albeit showing the Clipper engine. My bother-law-law just did the rebuild for me on them and said that those screens were in place internally. We also put an inline filter after the fuel pump. The car had an Airtex fuel pump that was leaking badly, so I replaced it with a Carter rebuilt pump. I am not sure why the Airtex version was on there, but obviously, there has been a lot of changes made to the car. When I first had it delivered from Texas the short term owner had hooked up the battery in reverse and the whole electrical system was fried. It has taken all winter to figure out the Packard intricate wiring and I have it all working, except to get the torsion system to work automatically. Thanks for your feedback. I don't feel like I am a deserted island as much. John.

[Guest Randy Berger]

John, if the TL system is not working automatically check the switch under the dash by the emergency brake and make sure it points in toward the steering column. Then verify the stop light fuse is good. 55 Packards ran TL feed thru the stoplight fuse. If it still doesn't work come on back - we'll figure it out.

YFAM, Randy Berger

[Guest]

Hello, Randy. First I need to replace the stoplight switch from the incorrect

two prong to the three. I have one that should be here in the next few days from a parts car. I'll know more when I trade that out. I also have a 5580 being delivered this next week that is pretty much untouched so far as I can see. Doesn't run, but I will do some basics and see if it should be rejuvenated or parted. Thanks, John.

[Guest imported_Packards1]

I have never seen a cream color valve cover either, I believe yours should be black with cream lettering. As a matter of intrest, I picked up a new old stock chrome valve cover with red lettering during the last year. I have another new pair that are all chrome. The red lettered ones would look great on my caribbean engine but I have only one and don't want to paint one of the all chrome ones letters. Joel

[Guest]

Brian. Thank you so much for the effort to get those pictures, both are great. I can do those just as you have it. My next door neighbor has all the tools to bend fuel lines and I might get his help. I will get a picture posted when I get it together. Thanks for the info Joel on the valve covers. John.

[Guest]

Hi,Brian. No, this is my parts car set to come in from St.Louis this week. I will take a picture of the engine compartment and Batwing tomorrow and post it here.The Chrysler 300 in '55 also had the batwing and I have seen it listed for sale as high as $1800. For interim work we have a set of $5 chrome pots, then. lug out the big hummer. I'll post in morning. John.

[Guest]

I am having ahard time trying to download a picture or two of my 2x4 setup...Help! John.

[Guest]

http://groups.msn.com/PackardPicsI set up a group to view ....

[Guest]

http://groups.msn.com/PackardPics

Try this instead...

[Guest Randy Berger]

Brian/John, the other consideration here is that the breather pipe for the Caribbean is different from one-carb setups. It is flattened on top to clear the intake casting. If the flattened part looks like a factory job, then it was done early on, probably by a dealer who could obtain the parts. If it is sort of hammered flat on top, that would seem to indicate a later conversion.

YFAM, Randy Berger

[Guest]

Hi, Brian. I do have the studs for the carbs, but I didn't take the time to replace them when I put the chrome cleaners on for interim use.John.

[Guest]

Hi, Randy, interestingly your statement about the breather pipe

is pertinent in that it is presently missing and venting directly from the extension pipe of the tappet cover assembly. I see that in the parts book that the 5588 did not use the same tappet cover assembly(rather,#440906)as all the rest(#440551). It does list the tappet breather tubes, however, as being the same for all(#6240743). If you happen to know the difference, or Brian or you can see a difference on the tappet cover I would love to hear about it. Thanx, John.

[Guest Randy Berger]

John, the pipe from the 5588-5699 tappet cover is flattened on top to clear the 2X4 intake manifold as it extends further back than the normal four-barrel manifold.

YFAM, Randy Berger

[Guest Randy Berger]

Brian, a friend who restored a 56 Caribbean pointed out that fact to me - it's not something I discovered on my own. You are correct in assuming the flat is on the tubing welded to the tappet cover. <span style="font-style: italic">(The 56 Golden Hawk article I sent you a while ago mentioned that problem when they installed the 2X4 setup on that vehicle. I wonder if that car still exists??) </span> He also installed factory air in the Caribbean and an underseat heater. He said he had a precedent for both although perhaps not on the same vehicle. He is VERY knowledgeable on Packards, particularly 55-56. Practical experience wins hands down every time!

YFAM, Randy Berger

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

last summer i looked at Donald Taconnes' very nice 56 Carib at the B'ham meet. I see NO WAY that a factory configuration underseat heater will fit the the Carib unless the Carib seat is significantly modified. Also i noticed that the Carib seat cushion is much shorter (front to rear) than the the other senior seat cushions. Altho the Carib seat is quite beautiful, with a 34+ inseam and a 34/35 sleeve i really need the other senior seat cushion for comfort.

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

i also find that the under seat heater in my Executive is most desireable and use it nearly all of the time unless i'm running over 40 MPH and then need no fans blowing at all. Just depend on the flow thru on the front heater. Rarely if ever use the front fan at all.

[Guest Randy Berger]

Keith, are you suggesting that I made this up? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> If I can contact him I will ask him to explain how he did it. There is ALWAYS a way to achieve something. He went to great lengths to install the A/C and the underseat heater. He did it because there was a Caribbean that had an underseat heater and one with A/C. I don't think they were on the same car, but just trusting to memory here.

YFAM, Randy Berger

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

Randy: No, i was not suggesting u made it up. I apologize for my terse statement. My intentions were to determine HOW he installed it. But BH in his above post might give us clue. Maybe he used a 55 Carib front seat?

[Guest Randy Berger]

Keith, no need for apologies - that's why I put that little icon there - I was joking with you about it. He used the 56 Caribbean seat and cushions. There was some mention of a piece of wood but I can't trust my memory to tell what it was - it's been several years since that discussion and I thought I would see the car on a regular basis. I know I should have paid more attention.

YFAM, Randy Berger

[Guest Randy Berger]

Gentlemen, I just spoke with Chris and he still has the Caribbean.

I will go up to see him this week or next and will take pictures.

He said it is a stock underseat heater and it does clear. You do

have to use the elbow mentioned in the parts book and I believe

pictured in the shop manual because the frame outriggers for the

convertible drop down and there is too much of a tight-radius curve

for the hose to make. The elbow is listed for Clipper installations.

His original 56 Caribbean which he sold after he got this one (because

of the size of the project), had the underseat heater and it is known

some Caribbeans came with A/C. His seats are not yet done completely.

We'll have pictures soon.

YFAM, Randy Berger