DIY Network

1938 Packard: Safety, Fuel Additives, Fuel System From "Classic Car Restoration" episode DCR-404

Figure A

In this episode of Classic Car Restoration, host Mark Lambert addresses the fuel system on the 1938 Packard Club Coupe. The fuel system is often the most misdiagnosed and misunderstood system on any car. In reality, if taken component by component, it’s quite simple. In this first segment of episode 404, Lambert provides a bit of safety information that needs to be understood when working with any fuel system (figure A).

Note: This is a summary of steps included in the automotive restoration procedures shown in this episode of Classic Car Restoration. These are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of vehicle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgrade kits selected. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select.

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Figure B

Materials:

Goggles
Respirator
Flashlight

Fuel System Safety

• Always have a fire extinguisher nearby. This is the best insurance you can possibly have!

• Protect yourself with a respirator if you're working around open fumes. We used a charcoal filter (figure B) that blocks all solvent fumes. The rule of thumb is if you can smell the fuel or the solvent you don't have enough protection.

• Never work with incandescent light bulbs. Always use a florescent lamp or a flashlight.
  

  Figure C

• Remove your fuel cap and look down the filler neck of the tank (figure C). If you see rust or any kind of corrosion there, you've probably got a problem in the tank. Our Packard's filler neck was clean, but we did have to replace the fuel cap. Make sure your fuel cap isn't from the 1930's.
  

• For your collector car’s gasoline, remember that today’s reformulated gas has no lead in it. You will need something to protect the top end of your engine. Check your local auto parts store to find a quality fuel treatment to protect your engine.

• The fuel system of our Packard is the same basic system the industry used all the way through the 1970’s. So, it applies to almost all collector cars. There is a tank at the back and the fuel is moved forward through the fuel line. Our car, before its long term storage, had a frame off restoration and at that time they replaced the line. If it were original, the fuel line would be pitted and rusted (figure D). The original fuel line has a protective spring shrouding (figure E) that was put over it to protect the line from rocks and road debris. The problem is that it holds moisture, which promotes contamination. Replace it! This is not an expensive restoration part, and is available at almost any home center. It’s just a regular screen door spring (figure F), and the new ones are chrome plated and will last longer than the originals.

  Figure D

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  
  
  

  RESOURCES :
  
  
  Resources and Special Thanks for Classic Car Restoration 400 series
  
  
  The Packard Club
  Columbus, Ohio
  (National & regional clubs, car shows & judging, magazine, resources, etc.)
  The Cormorant magazine
  The Packard Club
  www.packardclub.org
  
  Packards International Motor Car Club
  (National owner's club, judging rules, magazine, newsletter and other resources)
  Santa Ana, CA
  Packardsinternational.com
  
  Packards of Chicagoland
  (Regional affiliate of The Packard Club)
  Elmhurst, IL
  Packards of Chicagoland
  
  America's Packard Museum
  Dayton, Ohio
  www.americaspackardmuseum.org
  
  The National Packard Museum
  Warren, OH (the birthplace of the Packard)
  www.warren.org
  
  The Packard Motor Car Foundation
  (Foundation for preserving the Packard marque) Restoring the Packard Proving Grounds and other Packard activities.
  www.packardmotorfdn.org
  
  Motorbooks International
  www.motorbooks.com
  
  Automobile Inspections LLC
  (Nationwide automobile appraisal & inspection services, including classic cars)
  Hartford, CT
  www.automobileinspections.com
  
  Classic Auto Appraisals (Evaluation of Classics, Street Rods, Antiques, Competition Cars, Exotics, Commercial Vehicles and Hand Crafted Vehicles).
  www.autoappraisals.com

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	1938 Packard: Safety, Fuel Additives, Fuel System
  	1938 Packard: Fuel Pump Pressure and Volume Test, Removing Carburetor
  	1938 Packard: Clean and Rebuild Carburetor
  	1938 Packard: Carburetor Installation, Adjusting Idle Richness