June 1, 2001
During the conversion two days ago, I determined that the lower front shock mounting is different between 1955 (bottom) and 1956 (top). In order to use the refurbished lower control arms from the 1956 Clipper on my 1955 Patrician, I have to have a different shock absorber. Fellow Packard owner and enthusiast Keith Lummas provided a Gabriel shock number that he is using on his 1956 Executive (junior chassis). With the help of the local C.S.K. auto parts store, we determined that shocks for a 1985-99 Dodge 2wd truck or van will bolt right up. I chose Monroe Reflex #911096. These were special ordered and will arrive next tuesday.
June 3, 2001
I finished disassembling the passenger side front suspension on my Patrician. I installed the refurbished upper & lower control arms from the Clipper. I’ve decided to take the “magic” conversion plates (front and rear) and other machined parts to Motor Mission and have them duplicated. They’ll also hot tank the front end parts from the Patrician.
June 5, 2001
The 3-pc front seats and frame arrived today. I trial assembled them in my living room. The right & left bucket sets fold forward for rear seat entry, the seat back will recline and they can be adjusted forward and back. The middle seat back folds down into a console with dual arm rests, drink holder and a middle storage box. The lower mount bracket achieves the correct seat height. I’ll stored them until I tackle the interior.
June 9, 2001
I attended the Vegas Cruise 2001 car show held at The Fremont Street Experience. There were no Packards in attendance. However, However, there was a 1937 Ford there painted the color I’m anticipating for the Panther. Also, the interior of a 1957 Chevy is in a similar style and material that will grace the Panther. Finally, a 1962 Gran Turismo Hawk’s dash was done using current manufacture gauges (AutoMeter, in this case), but in a classic style, similar to what will monitor the Panther.
June 10, 2001
The right brake flex lines needed for the front disc brakes were found and fitted. The needed length was 14-1/2”, but the banjo fitting had to be ground slightly to fit the caliper recess. I’m still awaiting the machined steering lever arms and right front conversion plate from Motor Mission before I can completely assemble the front disc brake conversion on my Patrician.
June 12, 2001
The Monroe Reflex front & rear shocks are now in hand. I’ll install the fronts on my 1955 Patrician since I’m using the 1956 lower control arm.
June 14, 2001
The front disc brake adapter plate being used as a pattern and the machined steering lever arms for my Patrician were picked up today from Motor Mission. All pieces are now in hand for completion of the front disc conversion!
June 16, 2001
I finished assembly of the right (passenger) side of the disc brake conversion and did a rough setting of the toe-in. I drove it down to the tire store & alignment shop using the junk tires from the Clipper. The shop mounted new Coker P235/75R15 wide white wall radials on the Clipper rims and set the alignment. I drove home testing the new disc brakes. They stop hard and true every time, quite a difference from the old drum brakes. The only problem is excessive front end dive on hard stops because now the rear drums are not stopping as hard as they need to. This will be corrected upon installation of the rear disc brakes.
June 22, 2001
I added a new article to the SPECIAL PROJECTS section: Drum To Disc Brake Conversion.
Continued...
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