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Classic/Antique Car Repair/Packard 120 vibration damper

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Expert: - 9/29/2008


Question
Hi Brad
I have a 1938 Packard 120 (282cu in) and was wanting to know how can you tell when the crankshaft vibration damper is no longer doing it's job.  The engine has developed a vibration at mid-throttle onwards and is slowly getting worse.  The vibration occurs when driving and free revving out of gear.

Answer
The only test that I know of a visual test once the damper is off the car. Make sure that the rubber has not dried out and is coming apart. Make sure that the rivet holding it together are tight and not loose. And make sure that it fits the crankshaft snugly and that the center bolt was not loose.

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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