Restoring a 56 400 Does any one know what technique the factory used to paint the black stripe in the recesses of the thin aluminum sheet? Was it a paint and then wipe off the high side process? Thanks

Ultramatics behind the in-line 8s are particularly trouble-free. I'd run the standard diagnositic pressure tests and see where that leads me.

Did the Az shop give any indication of what work was done either time or what parts might have been changed?

Answering your question, I've successfully been inside a few. Problem would be that other than just checking for obvious worn or broken items, am not sure how much good it would do to just look since I no longer have any way to test things in operation--either before or after. Even just opening it up would also require a gasket set to do it properly. Would consider doing it though to give a second opinion if you wanted as long as we're not on a tight schedule.

On your R4 conversion, would require a bit more than a step up transformer to get the 12v. Not sure exactly what the trans requires in way of current capacity but Turbopackman had a link to a windshield wiper motor site (which I can't find right now). One of the accessories was a 6 to 12 v converter. There are several out there for running phones etc but if that one could run a wiper motor with all the trash and back emf that generates, could probably run a trans solenoid.

Most likely, former long time Packard owners went to Cadillac, Buick, Olds, Lincoln or Chrysler DEPENDING on regional dealers available and/or the prospective customers ethnicity.

101855 is the casting date, 10-18-55. The motor number which should match the vehicle number should be above the water pump manifold on the flat surface where the oil filler tube is mounted. The Utica engine manufacturing number should be on the passenger side at the rear, on an ear of metal just below the cylinder head. That said, these numbers sometimes appear in other locations so you may have to look around a bit if you don't find them where I've indicated. Photo of the Utica engine # enclosed.

If the motor was built as a 374, the Utica number will have a C or D prefix and the the motor number will begin with one of the body prefixes for a senior Packard, 5682, 5687, 5697 or 5699.

EDIT - of course it's possible to have a 4-1/8" bore engine that was a 352 engine subsequently bored from 4" bore, but I think your engine casting date precludes that.

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It should be a 1956 374 V8. What is the number near the oil filler tube of the form 56nn-nnnn.

look at this for more info on engine numbers and pictures of number locationS:

https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=2789&forum=14

Do u have the oil pan removed????? We need to discuss the oil pump as they were a weak spot in the engines.

Are u doing your own work or farming it out???

I do not disagree with regarding the styling aspects of the early sixties Imperials. Also, you are correct...many Packard men did go to FMC...including James Nance. One picture I have shows him in a ^58 or ^59 Lincoln convertible. His expression is almost pained. The conservatism I referenced earlier was a mindset thing. For many die-hard Packard families, a Cadillac was just a bit too flashy, and as well, a bit frequently seen on the street.

I'm leaning towards the 700R4, though the torque converter is a (12V) electrically controlled lockup, so I'd have to work out that issue. My car remains 6 volt. I wonder if a type of step up transformer from 6 to 12 volts could be utilized.

I just purchased a Packard V8 to put into my 1949 Studebaker R5 and need some help identifying the engine. I am new to the Packard world so I am looking for some assistance.

I took the engine apart in my shop yesterday and cannot locate the engine id number. I have the cylinder head numbers which referenced the 1956 big valve head. There is a casting on the rear of the engine that is 101855 440971. The cylinder bore is 4.125 and the stroke is 3.5 which when looking up the Packard V8 information appears to be the 374 engine.

Any assistance that someone could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Steve

No. As far as Chrysler being more conservative compared to Cadillac, have you seen a 1961 Imperial next to a 1961 Cadillac? 1959 was Cadillac's flashiest year, and the 1959 Imperial was not much more tame. Imperials generally sold to people that specifically liked Chrysler and wanted their best offering. A book I have on Packard said that a lot of Packard employees went to Lincoln after Packard shut down in Detroit. If you look at a 1958-60 Lincoln, you see a lot of Predictor in it, especially the rear window. The 1961-69 went its own direction via T-bird. But I can easily see the 1970's Continental and Mark series easily being what the Patrician and Caribbean would look like if they made it into the 1970's. Just need to put the ox-yolk on top the Parthenon grill.