Dear Mal:

Be happy to. The kernal of the issue is: can 14th series motor parts be bolted onto a 6th series crankcase to turn it into a 130 horsepower engine?

The camshaft is different, as is the block (according to the parts book the 14th series gasket is different), the crankshaft is not the same, and you can't mill cylinder heads because the gasket seal will be eliminated.

Now for people considering milling a head as part of a rebuild, very carefully evaluate the issue using a machinist grade straight edge and a feeler gauge. The standard is generally .001 for a cylinder, .004 for an entire head, and .002 for 6 inches. However, the Packard head may allow a little leeway in that .004 could be used for four cylinders. And if there is no indication of leakage then don't cut it down. Also, store the head on it's side. Don't leave it thrown in the back seat, trunk, leaning against the wall, etc. etc..

The 6th series uses a double disk clutch and so the transmission is another problem.

I don't know if the 14th series crank would actually drop into the 6th crankcase, but the whole motor was changed for the 7th series so I couldn't imagine that it would. One thing is in writing from Packard - Insert rods was not authorized for 6th series and earlier cars.

Another problem is the crankshaft itself. After all these years they are not very strong. They bend easily. The wise old timers generally took it easy on these cars and did very well. The cowboy's blew them up.

I'm not much of a hot rodder mainly because the cheapest modern cars will outperform most of the so called American muscle. However, most of these Packards have seen so much use that the build quality has been worn out of them, thus no inhibition towards doing something else with them.

Replying to bhappy's inquiry

The JC Whitney knock off was the 48-51 version. It was on Cheech and Chongs "Up in Smoke", and I've seen it on diesel trucks. Although it was never my favorite, I thought it looked best on the 51. Whenever I drove one I always wondered what would happen if I hit a pedestrian. The last ornament I really liked was the 19th-20th series arrow feather. The androgenous 29-36 Deluxe is my favorite I suppose, but the early 30's Cadillac Goddess is tops in my book (but only when it is on an early 30's Caddy). I always thought that the upright Pelican was spatially an answer to the standing Rolls-Royce ornament, whereas the Deluxe ornament was unique.

With all the gadgets they hang on today's cars I'm surprised they don't come up with some crazy electronic ornaments. Give them some time. The people engineering these cars are crazy and the marketing departments totally full of crap.

It's a rather sad situation because everyone is living off technology that was developed 20 years ago. Since OBDII engineering has been stagnant.

Heck I had an old Dodge that got 50mpg at 55mph with a computer controlled carburetor. Yet today they brag about 40. Don't make me laugh.

The point is: not going to work.

I'd be happy if they would concentrate on building a better car. The only thing on the road that interests me is the Nissan Sunny and even that is laden with useless gadgets that have nothing to do with getting somewhere. All of these gadgets are like fifties chrome - useless.

No the number Turnquist refers to is the absolute limit from standard. .045 for the 8 and .007 for the V-12 are the discard limits.

According to Turnquist the limit on milling is .045 for the eight and .007 for the V-12.

Supposedly this 745 boattail thing was a custom car from 1930. Maybe it was a hotrod, but if it was I don't think the few people who saw it would have been so excited.

Needs to get the chassis oiler working and the shocks serviced. Love that the chrome shell option was kept (very popular in 32-34).

Paint will protect the metal, otherwise rust will grow underneath and the paint will fall off. Hopefully it won't get the usual circus wagon treatment. Although I would trade the wheels for a painted set.

Not going to happen.

I used to see the comorants on Cadillacs all the time in New York City and Newark. The drug dealers loved em I suppose because the wings could light up when they had drugs. The Cadillac godess was second, and the Charles Atlas third. After that they started with the crowns which were gang colors.

So whenever I see the Cormorant I am reminded of the drug dealers and pimps around New York.