If Bullfrogs Had Wings.....

[Guest Rojo22]

I was driving home the other night and had plenty of time to think about restoration of Packards in general (Atlanta rainy night), and I came up with a topic that I thought would be an interesting place for people to come to and offer up interesting tidbits.

I would like to know in this post:

1. If you could get someone to create a quality remanufactured part for Packards (any year, any model) what would it be, and why? (difficult to find, OEM not acceptable any more, etc..)

2. If you could get someone to make a better part for Packards (any year, any model) what would it be, and why? (I hear you 56 guys lining up already...LOL)

I thought this would be interesting, because I have not literally taken an entire car apart, and then had to put it back together. I know there are small parts and large parts that get worn out, broke, or need some TLC to go back on a restoration, and I would like to know, and keep a record of what the people doing the restorations think would be a good list of near impossible stuff to find. Heck maybe someone who does Remans would get some ideas from our list, or at least a good discussion of where to find these "hard to find parts" through dealers.

[Guest imported_Speedster]

Right Now, it would be Rims for '29 wood-wheels, cause I can't find any. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Of course the parts needs change with each project car. Last month it was headlight lenses for '37 1502 Limo. The month before that it was the little 'Super' script emblems for '56 Clipper front fender, with good pins on the back.

[Guest BigKev]

Rick, I'm pretty sure Tucson Packard had that super script. I looked through 3 big boxes of script they had looking for that elusive '54 Clipper Script.

[Guest imported_Speedster]

I've found that Tucson has such Inflated prices, that I don't even check with them anymore. If I can't get parts for what I call a fair price, I don't buy it. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> But that was 2 months ago, I've found some since then. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I was only mentioning some parts I had a hard time finding recently. It's only the 645 parts that I need now. Mainly 20" wood wheels or wheel rims. (I've found a source for the spokes and hub-sleeves.)

[Guest BigKev]

Your right about there stuff being on the high side, but at least the quality is very good. I have seen people ask insane prices for heavly pitted pieces that I wouldnt even put on a driver.

[WCraigH]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">(snip) 2. If you could get someone to make a better part for Packards (any year, any model) what would it be, and why? (snip)</div></div>

What Eric said, plus:

A. "high performance" cylinder head to improve the siamesed center exhaust ports. Because of head bolt placement, this would probably require EIEIIEIE valve order rather than the stock EIIEEIIE. One in aluminum would be nice. Also, an "open chamber" (modern) design rather than the original "closed chamber" (mid-50s), but one could port the combustion chamber to achieve this like I'm doing on my Panther engine.

B. "high performance" cast iron exhaust manifolds like Pontiac had on their 1959-63 425A & 421SD and 1967-73 400-428-455 Ram Air, High Output and Super Duty engines. These are almost as good as headers performance-wise, but are quieter and last indefinitely.

[26pack]

Hmm...maybe a (safe?) replacement Kelch heater for the 20's-30's cars.

[Jack_Vines]

1. Stainless steel adjustable roller rocker arms and hardened rocker shafts for the V8 in a choice of 1.6, 1.65 or 1.7 ratio

2. Stainless steel exhaust headers like those used on the Z06/LS7 Corvette, with a built-in divider for the center exhaust ports.

3. Hi-po quality main, rod and cam bearings at SBC prices.

4. Late-56 oil pumps made by Melling

5. Edelbrock Air Gap intake manifold.

6. Comp Cams Street Roller tappet camshaft and a compatable thermoplastic distributor gear.

[WCraigH]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2. Stainless steel exhaust headers like those used on the Z06/LS7 Corvette, with a built-in divider for the center exhaust ports.</div></div>

One would need a vastly different exhaust port arrangement (see above).

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">5. Edelbrock Air Gap intake manifold.</div></div>

I don't see any point in this because the Packard already has a valley cover like a Poncho. The bottom of the intake is NOT being splashed by oil which is the whole reason for an "air-gap" intake.

Otherwise, I agree! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Steamcar]

Have you tried Coker tire. They make some rims. I am saving the $850 I need for a 25" detachable demountable rim for my Stanley, so I might have a spare tire.

Jim Showers

3 Packards and a Stanley

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

What do u burn in that Stanley????? Beckley anthricite??? Use it to heat the house too??? tell us about the Stanley. I've never seen one. (trans.: I ain't never saw one'a those).

[Guest Rojo22]

Well after a week, I am kind of surprised by the answers here. I would have thought a few more appearance type parts would be on the list. I see a bunch of mechanical part improvements listed, but I thought there would be more hard to find interior or exterior body parts listed for a good number of years.

[Guest imported_Speedster]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I thought there would be more hard to find interior or exterior body parts listed for a good number of years. </div></div>

Hey, Most of these guys Don't worry about the Interiors and put their time and money into mak'in em 'Go Faster and Stop Quicker' <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest Rojo22]

BH

I can always count on you to come up with a top notch list of stuff. AMAZING! Now that was the list I was expecting to create. What I was hoping to do is find out what the hard stuff is to find, and maybe get a supplier or shop to show up in here that are making some of what we listed. I hope someone who reads these lists also will chime in when they "find" an outlet for these things, it will make the "chosen vehicles" easier to bring back to tip top shape.

Any other items out there that are as hard to find as frog hair? Some of the pre classic (lower case intended to keep us V8 folks properly grounded) folks wanna weigh in here? Those Pre War cars have got to have just as many hard to find parts.....

[Guest Rojo22]

BH

You hit the nail right on the head. I wonder if a supply guy knew that a few guys would love to buy some of the items listed, if they would consider making them. It also brings a list to the front, so if a club were to sponsor some type of repo, they have a list to start from.

I for one love the idea of a catalog that you can order a "whole" car from. I love that you can find some parts, the idea of putting together an entire car together that was never manufactured by the factory is a little disconcerting, except for the idea that it makes it on the road, and people get to see it, which to me is the most important part.

[Guest BigKev]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I for one love the idea of a catalog that you can order a "whole" car from </div></div>

One of the cars I noticed you can do that with is the old Volkswagon Bug. Because they were still sold and produced in Mexico until recently, and the huge aftermarket following. You can also build an entire bug from scratch with new parts. You can almost do it with just a JCWhitney catalog.

It's interesting I have several friends who are into Bugs, and they have always had a fanatical following here in SoCal. I remember in High School you could pick-up a good running bug for less than a $1000. Now the prices have skyrocketed. That same bug is going for $6000-8000.

[tbirdman]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

It's interesting I have several friends who are into Bugs, and they have always had a fanatical following here in SoCal. I remember in High School you could pick-up a good running bug for less than a $1000. Now the prices have skyrocketed. That same bug is going for $6000-8000. </div></div>

Need to come to Oregon...bugs are much cheaper up here.