A corollary question: Is the 327 head just as good as an efficient aluminum head for the 359 engine?

Thank you for your reply. I have found a head which is offered for sale for $1,250. Here is their reply to my query as to whether the head is serviceable:
"we always magnaflux and crack check all the engine components we sell through our local professional machine shop. That is done at no cost you the buyer as we pay for that in advance. We will not sell anything that is suspect."

This is from a vendor who specializes in Packard Parts. What say you? Thanks.

My '54 Pacific has a 327 cast iron head replacing the aluminum head the 359 c.i.d. came with.

If I can find a magnafluxed head which appears to be in good condition, should I replace the cast iron head with the aluminum head? I expect it would cost me $1,000 to $1,500 to buy the aluminum head. Would that be worth buying? Would replacing the head be easy or especially difficult to do right? Thanks!

I have a 1954 Pacific. Does anyone know an excellent source of affordable leather seat covers for my car? Thanks! Reggie

What is a fair price for red/black custom-made leather seat covers, front and rear? Anyone have this done in the past year or two? Or if there is a Packard supplier who makes these as a kit? Your help will be Greatly Appreciated!!!

Congratulations on the sale! That was a gorgeous car which ought to be driven, shown, and enjoyed! I would have been excited to own it myself. "Come away with me, I'm on my way to the stars...."

Thanks to everyone who has commented or otherwise contributed to answer my questions. I presume that the O.D. is engaged by PULLING the knob until it is at a stop? My O.D. has not been removed or messed with, but neither has it been pulled out from the dash. So I wonder if that means the O.D. cable or the O.D. itself is messed up somehow. Perhaps I will unbolt the driveshaft on one end and take the car to a transmission shop for diagnosis and repair. Thanks again.

Yes, it does have overdrive! Thanks. It will go forward in all 3 gears, but will not back up. We have tried rocking it, without success.

I have never engaged the overdrive, as the car has been under restoration and only driven very short distances of a mile or less at a time.

My mechanic thinks it is the transmission locked out of reverse because the car will drive forward in all three forward gears, but will not roll backwards or go into reverse gear. What say you?

1954 Packard stick shift: car stuck in 1st can't be pulled backwards because rear wheels locked up, even with clutch depressed fully. Are there 2 problems: 1. locked in gear by linkage and won't shift out; 2. brakes locked up, or Whas up?