My next project? 1921 Packard Coupe

3 minute(s) of a 548 minute read

Well now here is another trap for young players! 1928Packard526 very kindly has sen me a photograph of his steering box in the hope that it would give me some reference to look at when I was re-assembling the bexel gears that drive the control rods for the spark advance & retard and the choke/hand throttle. Alas his box is quite different to the 1923. Has anyone got or can take a clear photo of the arrangement on an early 126 car. Below are the photographs of my steering box and the one in Pete's later 526.

1-23-2011

Hello Ben, David and all 

Thank you for your input. I guess that when I get around to doing the final assembly, which will be quite some time into the future it will all become self evident. I am about to start removing the cylinder head and engine oil pan (sump) so it should be interesting to see just what condition the engine is in. Having looked at the distributor it is difficult to find any evidence of wear. Having removed the thermostat housing from the front of the cylinder head it is clear that I will have to replace the thermostat. I must confess that it was my own fault the the bellows were damaged while removing it. I had overlooked the (secret) nut on the underside of the cylinder head. Is there a suitable modern replacement or a reproduction unit available?

1-24-2011

HI BEN

THANKS FOR THE WARNING RE THE DISTRIBUTOR DRIVE ROD. While the top (distributor) end is offset, the bottom where it engages with the drive gear is a plain square drive. Another trap for young players? Having removed the cylinder head the bad news is that the motor is going to require some serious work. While everything to date has indicated very little wear, the pistons are very loose in the bores although strangely there is no lip (or step) at the top of the bore. Pistons are the original cast iron. At present the oil is draining out of the sump in preparation for its removal tomorrow. 

Re the piston/bore wear, this could well be consistent with a lot of driving in the two lower gears (first & second) on un-made dirt roads or tracks with lots of dust and no effective air filtration. This would tally up with the state of the Gabrielle Snubbers and springs in contrast to the lack of wear on the brake rod ends etc.

At present I am investigating the availability of suitable replacement (oversize) pistons but I really will not be able to make any decisions until I have the block off the crankcase and properly cleaned, then I will be able to take some meaningful measurements at both the top & the bottom of the bores.

It is starting to look like a total strip down and full engine recon.

Watch this space.......