This was discussed in a couple forums past, but not much headway was made - except to note that a marine conversion was done on some Packard V8 engines by the Stokes Marine Co. of Michigan, which found their way into some Chris Craft boats.

One of our members has a 320-cid version of the Packard V8 that was designed for use in Hash cars, but had been used to run an irrigation pump, IIRC. I cannot tell you however, if it was offered as a bona fide industrial application, however. It now powers a '56 Patrician that he uses for daily transportation - until the hi-performance 374-cid mill he's working on is ready to go.

Meanwhile, somwhere out west, a fella is installing a highly modified Packard V8 in a Chevy Vega for a run on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

The V8 Legend Lives On...

I know that some boat manufactures used Packard V8 engines. But I am not sure if they were built different from Packard for them.

One of the V8 guys on here with far more knowledge than myself should be able to provide you better information.

I live 35 miles south of Louisville, KY in a town caled Radcliff, which is about five miles from Fort Knox. Feel free to visit anytime, but its best to call first so I can be sure to be home (502-457-8120).

As for the neoprene seal, I had already posted it in this site's interchange section.

I too am suprised by the OEM oil pump's condition. It is an early type with the relief valve held in place by a cotter pin; does not have a suction pipe, etc.

Though suprised by the oil pump, I am shocked by the main bearing. NI have torn down about a dozen, and rebuilt about half of them; never torn one down that showed this little wear.

Joe H

Were there ever any industrial or marine ( boat ) uses for the Packard V8 engine, or was it only used in cars ?

I have been busy looking for bargins on Ebay lately. I found a 70" spool of Packard 440 wire, and vintage Delco-Packard boots and termnials sold as a lot. Everything is still in the boxes. Not a bad deal for $40. It just arrived on my doorstep.

So I will make myself a new set up plug wires with these. I bought a set from a vendor about a year ago, but I always felt they appeared to be cut a little short and the wire was a generic unmarked type.

Anyways here is a pic of what was in the lot:

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Does it overheat if you take the thermostat out?

The reason I am asking is that know people that have had problem with there Packard's overheating when they used a modern style thermostat. I guess the old bellows style ones flowed better (according to them). Once they swapped in the bellows style one, there overheating problems when away.

I figure the quickest way to test this would be to pull the thermostat out temporaraly, and see what happens.

Just a wild idea, and I am passing this along as 3rd party here-say.

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The correct cast gray cans will arrive here tomorrow. They shipped the replacement cans the same day the wrong cans were received back by them.

So they were responsive in that aspect.

BigKev -

Meanwhile, what of the black manifold paint that they sent you instead of the cast gray that you ordered?

When I read your original post about Hirsch not covering charges to correct his order, I did get in touch with him about it, so I'm glad your back in contact. I've known Bill for more than 30 years, he's a classy guy and would never expect a customer to pay for his own mistake.

The engine pulls a rock-steady 19 inches of manifold vacuum when idling, and other than overheating at idle even on cool days runs extremely well. I'm beginning to discount the tail pipe restriction for another reason - logic would seem to say that at idle with so little exhaust product to move, it couldn't be the problem; a restricted exhaust might be expected to manifest itself more at higher speeds though I do recognize that the heat exchange from the better air speed over the radiator would counteract that. As to the heat riser, its broken but I'm told it's wide open (counterweight down). This one really has me baffled, block exceptionally clean inside, water distribution tube perfect, timing OK, new 4-row radiator and water pump. I hate to use an external electric fan, that's generally not a good idea, it just masks the problem, kind of like taking a pain killer after you sprain you back so you can back out and split some firewood. Open to any ideas, no matter how far-fetched.