Vanity: Question Regarding a 1948 Packard Super Eight

myself ^ | Sept. 17, 2017 | myself

[Michael.SF.]

Question for old car experts: Last year, on the passing of my father-in-law, my wife and I inherited his 1948 Packard. The car was in excellent shape but had not been driven for a fee years. We now have the car back in full working order and have noticed something very cool:

At about 60 MPH the car occasionally sets into a rolling motion (clockwise from wheel to wheel, front to rear). The motion is subtle, but very cool.

I asked the mechanic about it and his comment was: 'Congratulations, enjoy it!'

He did not elaborate.

Can any freepers shed some light on this?

[Michael.SF.]

The is this model, but not in that kind of shape:

[glasseye]

My brother collects those, older though.
He has 5 pre WWII Packards.
I will ask him.

[knarf]

MY curiosity is up.

[Glad2bnuts]

Harmonics of a perfectly balanced machine. Like the hum in a Hotpoint washing machine in spin cycle. Hint, I was a builder and rebuilder of these machines. When they are right they have a song they sing. I think this is so with all mechanical things.

[FreeReign]

Congratulations, enjoy it!

[CrashCole]

Some Packard automobiles of this general vintage had a load leveling feature, that automatically adjusted the height to level. Don't know if this particular year and model has this feature.

Another possible answer to this condition could be warn shocks.

[rockinqsranch]

BFLR

[laplata]

It sounds like some kind of overdrive for high speeds.

[pelican001]

Sounds like the chassis and springs are finding some sort of resonance around that speed. The car probably needs new shocks.

[Michael.SF.]

I want to think that is the answer, because it seems to be by design and not wear.

[Michael.SF.]

Ted? is that you? You did not tell me you are a Freeper

;)

[SaveFerris]

Just wait until you hit 88 m.p.h.......

[editor-surveyor]

.
Those old camel knee shock absorbers need more viscous fluid to make up for wear.
.

[editor-surveyor]

.
I think the feature you mention began in’55.
.

[Michael.SF.]

Re: New Shocks

That is the first thing I thought of, but discounted it because the float is very subtle, is not consistent, and the car when stopped, I pushed down on the fenders the response is normal.

Also the motion is always the same roll not an up and down float when going over bumps.

[Oatka]

Just wait until you hit 88 m.p.h.......

Only if it has The Flux Capacitor. :-)

[SaveFerris]

Or the home version of Mr. Fusion.

That, and avoid lightning bolts.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Never heard of that before. Sounds like a transmission or chassis issue.

Would be interesting to know.

[umgud]

Had a ‘38 and a ‘53 Buick, both with straight 8’s. As I remember it, the ‘38 didn’t drive down the road, it lunged down the road. You had to drive it to see what I mean. Maybe you have a better description.

[Klemper]

I’m an excellent driver.