Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1956 Packard oil pump, electric wipers, valve lifters

Question
Hello,
I plan to use electric wipers and am rebuilding my 352 engine.  However, the vacuum to run the current wipers is thru the oil pump.  How do I remove that..just block it off? or replace that bottom part of the pump w/a blocking plate?  I have never seen this setup before. I have pics if necessary.  Thank you very much

Answer
No need for pictures- I've rebuilt about 30 of these engines over the years, I can do it in my sleep!  The vacuum line can be simply blocked off - be sure to plug the line where it goes through the block so you don't get oil leaking out there.  The oil pump should be at least checked for all clearances - these have a problem with ingesting air and foaming the oil, which causes the valve lifters to collapse and make nasty noises, and also causes premature failure of the crankshaft and bearings - most of the 320, 352 and 374 engines suffered this failure sooner or later.  If the clearances all check out OK, you can just replace the vacuum pump with a machined flat sturdy steel plate, held on with the existing provisions for holding the vacuum pump in place.  The plate should be of at least 1/4 thick steel, and thicker is better!

This same design was used on quite a few other cars - Cadillac for one - but it is troublesome.

If you have access to the Packard Club (PAC, not PI) magazine - there is a rather complete article I wrote on rebuilding these engines in issue #69 - you'll have to get it from the back issues department.  These are somewhat tricky to do right - it's best to be aware of the differences in these engines.

Dick