Nor-Cal Packards International

Do you occasionally have an owner report a uneven idle when the windshield wipers are operating? If so, was the owner informed that this is to be expected to a certain degree on all types of vehicles equipped with vacuum type wipers?
When the wipers are not operating and the engine is idling, the mixture of air and fuel which enters the intake manifold is properly proportioned by the carburetor and we will assume that the idle is smooth. When the wipers are turned on, this same mixture enters the manifold below the carburetor; however, additional air enters the manifold below the carburetor and is pulled in through the wiper motor. Adding this air to the properly proportioned mixture tends to lean out the mixture and cause an uneven idle.
Although an uneven idle with the wipers operating may be considered more or less standard to a certain extent, a few steps can be taken to improve the idle.
The engine must be properly tuned and have a smooth idle when the wipers are not operating since it is very obvious that ragged idle with wipers off will become worse when the wipers are turned on. Adjusting the idle so that the mixture is slightly on the rich side will help the idle when they are operating.
If the car is not equipped with an Electromatic Clutch, the idle may be improved by moving the wiper vacuum line to the Electromatic take-off in the manifold.
Resistor type spark plugs may also tend to smooth the idle because of the wide gap setting.
Republished from the May 1994 "NorCal Packard News"

Production is now using engine oil drain plug gaskets of nylon material which have greater sealing qualities. This new gasket has been released for service and can can be used on the engine and ultramatic oil drain plugs. Torque tighten the drain plug 25 to 30 ft. lbs. when using the nylon gasket. The nylon gaskets are available under Part No. 6480955.
Republished from the February 1994 "Packard News"

When wiper blades operate in only one wiping range or arc, usually a hissing noise can be heard in one position of the control lever. Complaints of this nature can be remedied by reversing the two 1/8" wiper hoses that connect the control.
Republished from the February 1994 "Packard News"

Engine Oil Filler Tube Baffle
55th Series
6/6/08

A few reports have been received of oil splashing out of the engine oil filler tube on the 55th series engines when the breather is removed. This has been corrected in production by adding a baffle inside the filler tube. The new tube which has the baffle is available for service under Part No. 476062.
Republished from the February 1994 "Packard News"

Slow Cranking Engine?
All Models
8/10/07

Possibly your problem is an over neglected starter solenoid, battery cables,
ground problems or even a battery older than you think-not the starter.

Many times a starter is rebuilt or replaced and the solenoid is transferred from the old starter to the rebuilt or new starter, only to find that at times, it still cranks the engine slowly.
Because the solenoid is a disc type contact that can rotate to different positions inside, the disc may not always make proper contact to carry the high current necessary to operate the starter. Needless to say, sometimes it cranks fine and other times it may crank slowly or not at all. A voltage drop test would confirm the problem, but only when the failure occurs. Who carries a voltage meter with them to do a voltage drop test each time there is a problem? Maybe it would be best to just replace the solenoid and forget the voltage drop test.
An original appearing metal solenoid is available at most of the Nor-Cal's preferred Part vendors listed in our web page.

Happy Cranking!
Republished from the February 1994 "Packard News"

Rear Wheel Hub Clicks
All Models
8/10/07

Axle shaft clicks are generally caused by a slight expansion of the inner and outer ends of the tapered bore of the hub when the hub is tightened on the shaft. This slight expansion prevents complete contact of the tapers allowing the hub to move on the axle shaft causing the click. In cases where the click cannot be eliminated by tightening the hub nut, we suggest the following:

Remove the wheel, drum and hub, axle shaft key and axle shaft bearing oil guard. Wrap a piece of cloth around the axle shaft next to the brake backing plate.
Apply a small amount of oil mixed with lapping compound in the center of the taper in the hub. Place the hub on the axle shaft and rotate it back and forth until a good fit is obtained on the tapers.
Wash off the lapping compound. Remove the protective cloth. Reinstall the oil guard. Install a new axle key and tighten the hub and drum nut securely. (200 - 270 ft. lbs.)
CAUTION: Be extremely careful not to allow the lapping compound to get into the axle shaft bearing.

Republished from the March 1994 "Packard News"

Radio Bonding Clips
55th Series
2/27/07

Electrical interference noises may be encountered in the radio on early production 55th series cars. It generally occurs when the radio is tuned to distant stations. Production has installed radio bonding clips which ground the hood to the fenders. These clips are available for service and can be installed as follows:

Install one clip 2" forward of the fender drain trough.
Install one clip 2" behind the right front hood bumper.
It is not necessary to scrape off any paint as the clips have saw teeth to provide a good ground.

The clips are available at the Central Warehouse (or Max Merrit) under part no. 472146, Radio Bonding clip (2 required).

Republished from the March 1994 "Packard News"

Piston Pin Lock
55th Series
8/31/06

A recent alteration, now effective in production, revised the size of the piston pin lock groove in the piston and lock wire size.
Due to the change in the depth and width of the groove in the piston, it is very important that locks be installed.
Early type pistons with numbers 440585, 440586, 440587 and 440588 cast inside of the pistons will require the piston pin lock past no. 440847.

Republished from the March 1994 "Packard News"

Dead Battery Check
7/31/06

A battery with too much internal resistance will go dead very quickly, and the problem can be difficult to diagnose. To check the resistance of a weak battery, connect a battery charger set to charge a maximum generator output, and connect a voltmeter across the posts. If the voltage reading is higher than the setting for the car's voltage regulator. the internal resistance of the battery is too high and it should be replaced. In this situation, when the alternator or generator attempts to charge the battery, the high resistance causes the battery voltage to rise above what the voltage regulator will allow and the battery will not be charged. High resistance can be a problem on newer batteries as well as ones that have been in the car for awhile.

Republished from the March 1994 "Packard News"

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