Second Wind - a Packard Gasser
- Thread starter zzrodder
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zzrodder
It ain't grey hair, it's chrome!
Since I built the frame, it's been bugging me how the rear kickup
transitions from 4" to 3" and the flat piece is not centered over the diff. I don't know how it ended up like this, but I blame the tape measure..
Before the body gets on it, I decided to re-do that part or it may never happen
Cut it out and fitted new pieces, not a major thing in the grand scheme of things, but it was a burr in my butt that I had to deal with....[
transitions from 4" to 3" and the flat piece is not centered over the diff. I don't know how it ended up like this, but I blame the tape measure..
Before the body gets on it, I decided to re-do that part or it may never happen
Cut it out and fitted new pieces, not a major thing in the grand scheme of things, but it was a burr in my butt that I had to deal with....[Attachments
zzrodder
It ain't grey hair, it's chrome!
Put a day in on the Packard to get the body on the frame. Lotsa fun gutting out all the wood and old floor. Put in some tube bracing first so it doesn't get all twisty. It will sit a bit higher in the rear when (if??) the 30" tall M&H rear tires show up, at least now it's not taking up 2 parking spaces. The vision is becoming reality
) the 30" tall M&H rear tires show up, at least now it's not taking up 2 parking spaces. The vision is becoming reality Attachments
Old Iron
Well-known member
[P[P
The vision rocks ZZ. 
05snopro440
Well-known member
The vision is going to be really cool! It's already looking real good.
soltz
The Rat Captain
Looking good [cl
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zzrodder
It ain't grey hair, it's chrome!
Not much of an update, more of an awakening and prelude to what must change....
The parallel leaf front suspension is causing me grief because the frame horns will protrude 3" beyond the front fenders/grille shell, something I just can't live with I've already been flamed on the Pork by "purists" for putting a 4 link on the rear, so I might as well go all the way and put coilovers and a 4 link or maybe hairpins on the front end too ! It's been done before (see pic) and would also get the spring pack out from under the frame rail to give me more travel without C notching the frame. Of course it means re-mounting the steering box, messing with the engine mount crossmember and adding a Panhard bar, but in researching this setup I finally came to understand what is wrong with the front end on the Hercules pickup [S The arc of the Panhard bar must follow the arc of the drag link to prevent bumpsteer - something I got ass-backwards....
In the pic of the Willys, it has some pretty unsafe looking hairpin and Panhard bar mounting, and it is using side steering instead of cross steering. I think I can do better - and no chrome....
The parallel leaf front suspension is causing me grief because the frame horns will protrude 3" beyond the front fenders/grille shell, something I just can't live with
I've already been flamed on the Pork by "purists" for putting a 4 link on the rear, so I might as well go all the way and put coilovers and a 4 link or maybe hairpins on the front end too ! It's been done before (see pic) and would also get the spring pack out from under the frame rail to give me more travel without C notching the frame. Of course it means re-mounting the steering box, messing with the engine mount crossmember and adding a Panhard bar, but in researching this setup I finally came to understand what is wrong with the front end on the Hercules pickup [S The arc of the Panhard bar must follow the arc of the drag link to prevent bumpsteer - something I got ass-backwards....In the pic of the Willys, it has some pretty unsafe looking hairpin and Panhard bar mounting, and it is using side steering instead of cross steering. I think I can do better - and no chrome....
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Bamamav
Well-known member
F the pork! I get so aggravated at all the closed minds over there. I do things my way, so what if it doesn’t fit their label! Off the soapbox now…
ZZ, I remember seeing lots of pics of gassers from the 60’s using coilovers on tube axles in the front. IIRC, Ohio George Montgomery built all his cars that way. They were a little different than what you see now as they were taller. See if you can find some pics of his cars to see and get some ideas.
Just because it’s being built to resemble cars of an era doesn’t mean it has to follow a cookie cutter pattern. Lots of different things were tried to get a competitive edge, not all worked out, but some did. I get so aggravated by people who say it has to be a certain way or it ain’t right…I better hush before I get back on that soapbox!
Carry on, I think it’s looking good
I done a coilover, 4" drop axle a Vega cross steer, panhard bar and it drove very well.
zzrodder
It ain't grey hair, it's chrome!
Bama, I like the way you think [cl
Found some pics of a coilover setup on a solid front axle (ironically on the pork). Looks very professional, but look at the Panhard bar mounting - this is exactly what I did on the Hercules, and it is the cause of my bumpsteer problem - the drag link and Panhard bar are moving in opposing arcs, fighting each other to center the steering during suspension movement. The mounting points of the Panhard bar should be reversed, frame mount by the steering box and axle mount on the passenger side so they travel in a similar arc.
I think the driver of that car will get a surprise when it launches down the quarter mile....
Found some pics of a coilover setup on a solid front axle (ironically on the pork
). Looks very professional, but look at the Panhard bar mounting - this is exactly what I did on the Hercules, and it is the cause of my bumpsteer problem - the drag link and Panhard bar are moving in opposing arcs, fighting each other to center the steering during suspension movement. The mounting points of the Panhard bar should be reversed, frame mount by the steering box and axle mount on the passenger side so they travel in a similar arc.I think the driver of that car will get a surprise when it launches down the quarter mile....
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zzrodder
It ain't grey hair, it's chrome!
I never signed up on their sight because of all the bashing
I done a coilover, 4" drop axle a Vega cross steer, panhard bar and it drove very well.
OI, good to hear it worked for you - do you have any pics of the setup??
Old Iron
Well-known member
These are the best three pics I have of it.
I thought I done a better job of documenting this build.
I thought I done a better job of documenting this build.
zzrodder
It ain't grey hair, it's chrome!
These are the best three pics I have of it.
I thought I done a better job of documenting this build.
Ummm, not seeing them on my end [S
zzrodder
It ain't grey hair, it's chrome!
Getting rid of the tinworms and general metal rehab today. Took the PS rocker panel off to straighten and trim it and welded it back in, eliminating the factory seams at the front and where it meets the quarter panel as I did on the last Packard. Got a piece of 1x2 tacked in to replace the wood sill that lived there before, something sturdy to attach the floor crossmembers to. Also hacked out the last of the roof wood in prep to fill the top with a steel insert. At least this body doesn't have the rot around the window openings that the other one did
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soltz
The Rat Captain
!
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soltz
The Rat Captain
It’s started now[cl
!
Those Porkers are a rough crowd. If you say Rat Rod over there your black balled....
Rockable
Well-known member
I've been on the Pork for over 10 years. I am getting really tired of the "strictly traditional" rules. It was more fun and there were more build threads when they allowed some newer innovations as long as you kept a traditional look. It appears the followers are getting fewer by the year. It's a shame because there are some very knowledgeable people over there.
