Starting a 1950 Packard

"Roy G. Bragg" > wrote in message > ...
> The clutch is not interlocked with starting circuits on any car I remember
> that is that old. The only interlock was the neutral safety switch on
> automatic tranny cars. But the accelerator starter switch for this car is
> accurate, as well as Buicks at late as 1960.
> Roy
> "OLDCARS" > wrote in message
> om...
> > wrote in message
> om>...
> > > "G.R. Patterson III" > wrote in message
> >...
> > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > How do you start it? I'm putting the key in the switch on the
> > > > > dashboard to the left of the steering column. The key will turn
> both
> > > > > left and right; dash dials move, power windows can be opened, but
> the
> > > > > engine doesn't turn over. Am I missing a step or is there a problem
> > > > > with the starter or battery?
> > > >
> > > > On the 1950 Fords, you turn the key clockwise and leave it there.
> There is a button
> > > > near the bottom of the dash a few inches to the right of the steering
> column. It has
> > > > a chrome ring around it with "starter" engraved in the ring. Push that
> to start. I'd
> > > > bet Packard had a similar arrangement.
> > > >
> > > > In cars in which the key turns both clockwise and counter-clockwise
> from the
> > > > insertion position, one direction is usually "accessory" and the other
> "ignition".
> > > > These are usually labeled in some way, usually as "acc" and "ign".
> Make sure the key
> > > > is in the "ignition" position.
> > > >
> > > > George Patterson
> > > > In Idaho, tossing a rattlesnake into a crowded room is felony
> assault.
> > > > In Tennessee, it's evangelism.
> > >
> > > Thanks to all of you who have had a shot at this one. The place one
> > > puts the key is definitely NOT labeled ACC and IGN -- I looked. There
> > > is a button on the floor, I assumed it was a headlight dimmer switch.
> > > Just to the left of the steering column, at the very bottom of the
> > > dashboard are two adjacent knobs -- one has an ivory plastic head and
> > > can be pulled towards the driver. The other is plain metal and can be
> > > pressed upwards (towards the sky, or in this case, the garage roof.)
> > > Perhaps these somehow work together? Thay are also not labeled.
> > >
> > > To add to the confusion, there is a pushbutton in the center of the
> > > dash, along with push buttons labeled things like "heat" and "fan",
> > > which says "clutch." Any more ideas forthcoming?
> > >
> > > Still confused,
> > > --Virginia
> >
> > The knobs at the left of the wheel are the air vent and the left side
> > hood release. Hoods on these cars can be opened to either side, or by
> > releasing both sides at the same time the hood can be lifted off
> > completely. Be sure to push the hood release back to the front before
> > driving the car, although the hood is heavy enough to be unlikly to
> > blow up, it is possible. I am relativly sure the information I gave
> > you about the starter being linked to the carburetor is correct,
> > although on smaller,(less expensive) models there is a plain round
> > chrome starter button, if memory serves, it is on the dash at the left
> > side of steering wheel. The chrome button you mentioned is probably in
> > a row of similar buttons under the radio grille and activates a vacuum
> > operated clutch system called the "Electromatic Clutch".
> > Since this car has power windows it is a good chance it is a more
> > expensive model that would have the starter linked to the carburetor.
> > By the way be sure and depress the clutch when trying to start the
> > car. I'm not trying to insult your intellegence I just don't know
> > (remember) if the clutch was interlocked to the starter also.
Even though I owned a 48 Packard for some years I couldn't remember
for sure.Besides I always pushed in the clutch anyway.I figured it
sure couldn't hurt and might avoid the car starting in gear in the
garage since she is unfamiliar with the car.I am sure now there wasn't
any interlock, as you said. I hope the poster lets us know how it
worked out.