Guest 51Patty400 Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Hello,Just got my first Packard. Living in Canada. Any tips for surviving the wonderful Canadian winter closing on us fast?51Patty400 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 As Red Green says "Keep your stick on the Ice", But NOT your Packard! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />Congratulations 'New Packard Owner'. Keep it out of the Snow banks and you will be Fine. I would get an 'Optima' Battery for it. They will crank a cold engine when others won't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 51Patty400 Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Thanks. I think the first thing is to convert it from 6V to 12V.I wont be driving it in the winter, but have been advised to turn it over a few times a month. I wish I could find in-door storage :-(- Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Randy Berger Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Mark, the six-volt system is fine for your car. Make sure some previous owner hasn't put 12-volt (skinny) battery cables on it. I drove a six-volt 1952 Packard for years with no problems. This in Penna. weather. If you need new cables, go to a welding shop and get some #0 cable and have them made. One other suggestion is to take the top starter mounting bolt and have a stud welded on to it so you can run the ground cable right on that stud and then run a lockwasher and nut on to make a secure ground.YFAM, Randy Berger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 If it's an Original car, I Wouldn't convert it to 12. volts. With an Optima 6.v, you shouldn't have any problems and it's a really big job to convert. Have to change out all light bulbs and will have to change out complete charging circuit (Altinator for Generator and V.-Reg, etc.) '51 has Positive Ground system. Original restored cars or usually worth more, also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 51Patty400 Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Hmmm... Yup, skinny cables...I just got a new Canadian Tire 6V battery for it last week.Thanks Randy.- Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 51Patty400 Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Its completely original, I even have 2 Thunderbolt motors (the original is on a skid).I am still learning about cars. I'm a computer wiz, so cars are not my area of strength.Who makes Optima batteries?- Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 If you just bought a new battery, you probably don't want to get another, but next time check out Optima. URL: www.optimabatteries.com They cost more but they have more power and last a lot longer and don't discharge when just sitting, and they can't spill acid, like other batteries. Most AutoParts Stores have them here, I guess Canada has them. If not, you can order them online. I just got another from URL: www.batteryweb.com J.C. Whitney also has large battery cables for 6.v cars , 00 guage (they call them 2/0 guage) URL: www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ProductDisplay/s-10101/p-1029/c-10101 You can check if they have a length that will fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Albert Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 I live it Toronto and have started my 54 Packard at -20 with the origial 6v system, but make sure the battery cables are 2/0 in size and not the ones you get at crappy tire and it will start all the time. my Patrician i have driven over 4000 miles this summer and never had a problem starting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 1, 2004 Share Posted October 1, 2004 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hello,Just got my first Packard. Living in Canada. Any tips for surviving the wonderful Canadian winter closing on us fast?51Patty400 </div></div>Well here in Thunder Bay the forecast is for snow today so my Super Clipper is being parked for the winter.Last Cruise Night last night! Changing the oil, removing the battery for storage inside the house, an ounce of Rislone in each cylinder and making sure the antifreeze is good for at least -40, fill the gas tank and add gas preservative. She should be cozy and safe till next May. As for battery I have a 6V from UAP/Napa which has no problem turning the 356 engine over but it has the large cables as well. No need for 12V. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BillP Posted October 1, 2004 Share Posted October 1, 2004 An old timer told me he heard (from a guy who knew somebody who read an article about somebody's uncle who) how to store a battery for the winter. I usually take it out of the car, clean it, put on a wooden shelf under the work bench and trickle charge it every month or so, if I remember. That works OK. This fellow said take the battery out of the car, double wrap it tightly in a couple plastic bags and set it in the bottom of the deep freeze. Come spring, take it out, charge it, and you're ready to go. This guy swore it worked. I never tried it for fear of wrecking the wife's frozen lasagna, which I'd rather eat than have a science project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JT Posted October 2, 2004 Share Posted October 2, 2004 Dave, wow snow already? I guess it keeps the mileage down <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />Bill, your storing the battery on a wooden shelf reminds me of the old wives tale that a concrete floor will drain a battery. I've heard it so much that I have a hard time setting a battery on the floor without worry <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 51Patty400 Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 Im Toronto too. Love to come by and see your car!Hopefully the weather hold so I can have a nice drive ONCE before I put it away for the winter.Thanks to everyone for the "hello's"Pics on the way.- Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Albert Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 Did you by chance find your car in Toronto near Steels and Bayviev as it looks like one I seen there about two years ago? Check out the pic it could be yours... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 51Patty400 Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 Yes, that is the very one. Steeles west of Leslie on the North side.- Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55PackardGuy Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 That's a very nice looking car. Please post more pics when you can. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Albert Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 When I looked at the car it had a 1953 327 5 main motor in it and the owner told me it was the original motor (L3xxxxx) when it should have had a J6xxxxx serial number for the motor but other wise wan not too bad of a car but too much money. I picked up my Patrician (see picture) last november in Pa. through E-bay for $750. put it on the road in march after doing some of the brakes and a valve job. So far this summer it has clocked over 4200 miles this summer alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Albert Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 Two weeks before the Packard Nationals here in Toronto I had to change the motor in a friends 48 Packard. I got it all running and setup over the weekend, and on Monday it was brought in for painting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Albert Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 This was taken the Judging day at the Nationals, the paint you could still smell it as it was taken out of the body shop that morning. The Car is is one of 2 in Canada (48 custom 2 door) the other one is owned by another close friend here in the Toronto area. This car is owned by Art James of Toronto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 51Patty400 Posted October 10, 2004 Share Posted October 10, 2004 Thanks. The best picutre so far is the one i got SENT of my car...lolI'll take a bunch after I get it shined up.- Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55PackardGuy Posted October 10, 2004 Share Posted October 10, 2004 Albert,That '53 is a sweet looking machine. It's good to hear you're getting so many miles of enjoyment out of it, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCraigH Posted October 10, 2004 Share Posted October 10, 2004 Fab looking Patrician! When you take it to the "mixed breed" type collector car shows, it should kick butt. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />I also really like the 1951-54 Packards. My Dad had a 1951 200(?) 4dr for a few years before Mom intersected a palm tree at moderate speed. The palm tree won. I believe alcohol was involved. Scratch one Packard (human survived). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Albert Posted October 10, 2004 Share Posted October 10, 2004 I get a lot of comments about the Patrician, and being an almost daily driver you get use to the looks of other people, and then a lot cannot beleve that it still has its origial motor, or that i drive it on the highway. I was even stopped by one of the local Cops wondering how i got the 1954 licence plate on the car and he did not know about YOM plates! I took my boss out in it to pick up a 5hp/ 200lb air compressor and he thought it would take a while to get there till he asked me if my speedo was in km/ph or in MPH while I was doing 75+ on the speedo and passing the other cars.... When we had the nationals here I was looking after the breakdowns and quit a few people said that i needed new springs in the back as it was a little low, till i opened up the trunk! It had half my tool chest in it and the oxy/acetylene torches and bottles and an air compressor in the back seat, we had enought tools to R&R the head gasket on a 51 Packard so it could be driven back to Maryland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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