I will now display my ignorance and ask what is this?

The home page is dated, no information on events past winter 2009, and no listing of automobiles on display. It says it is the home of PAC. I'm sure I was out getting popcorn when this was being played. Anyone been there? What are your impressions?

www.americaspackardmuseum.org is the place to go.

Thanks.

Rusty, sure enjoying this posting exchange. I believe Pierce Arrow made large six cylinder engines approaching a liter per cylinder, or more. This approach gave them smooth and powerful engines without the complications of eight cylinders.

Rusty, I wish we could all be as knowledgeable and experienced as you are. Here is another side light on engine design. It seems Enzo Ferrari was so impressed with the Packard Twin Six that he chose the V-12 design for his engines when he started his own automobile company many years later. The rest, as they say, is history.

Dave, that is a damn good reason. Your car is much too nice to be subjected to being modified.

Rusty, great historical perspective on engine designs. Thanks for taking the time to write it and share it with us. Maybe I didn't read it correctly, but I have just one comment on your post. I believe Packard's straight eights used a separate cast iron block and aluminum crankcase design until the "modern" monoblock straight eight was introduced in the 1935 One Twenty. Even then, the Senior 8s continued with the separate block and crankcase through the 1939 model year.

Dave, if not now, when? Go for it!

Dave, too bad about the OD. I have always figured that most replaceable possessions are for sale, at the right price. How much did you get for the Clipper (just joking)?

I would follow Owen's recommendation for cold clearances if you are doing an initial setting to get the engine running for the first time. If you are adverse to setting the valves with the engine running, you can run the engine to operating temperature, shut it off, check and set a few valves for the factory recommended clearances, and repeat until all valves have been checked and set. All of the valves are assessable with the manifold installed and the engine in the car.

Dave, thanks for sharing the photos of the Packards. The Clipper is looking real sharp. I guess all the pain memory with the clutch replacement goes away when you see your car on the field looking as good or better than others being shown. Glad you got it finished in time to make the show.

My impressions and recollections are that Autolite made higher quality distributors, generators, and starters than Delco Remy. That said, my 115C has a Delco distributor with the ball bearing breaker plate. This has given me good reliable service. I can see if the plate, bearings, and groove become dirty that the plate would not move freely. Good maintenance should keep it working in the way it was designed.