I belive the Packard 352 was the largest cubic V8 engine of 1955. It was somewhat overshadowed by Chevy's introduction of their first V8.

From what I have read, the engine was 9 years in the making,
and was designed for future displacement growth in mind. Engineers claimed there were atleast 400 cubic inches possible, maybe more, as evidenced by the growth of the 1956 cubic inches.

I have a 1000lb stand here at the house, and I have access to another from work. Maybe I could have one on both end and work it like a rotissure. I'll figure something out I guess.

I do have a digital camera packardV8, and I'll be droping the pan sometime Saturday. I'll document it and post it on the forum and you fellas can tell me which style of pump I have.

Yeah, I plan on doing a thorough one over on it before trying to run with it. It is supposedly a low mile (58,000) runner. From reading all the previous posts on the oil pump, I think I had better check it out. I found Randy Bergers posts on the oil pump in a motor he was going through very helpful. Damn I love this forum.

Are there some things you think I should look for when doing this? Also, what kind of engine stand will hold this engine? I don't want to bolt it up to a standard one with the trans flanges. Thats a sure way to break the hell out of it I imagine/ Or end up with broken feet.

Well, a big thanks to turbopackman, I have found it!

Here is the number: 5587 3594

So, This must be a 352 out of another 400 right? I wonder what happened to old "3594"? Maybe a barbaque grille? Or a set of golf clubs?

Hey Packard friends,

I have been going over the Packard V8 that I picked up for my 400. I have also been going through the Packard Service Manual. I was wondering if there were any obvious differences between the 320, & 352 that I might look for. I hope that I didn't purchase the wrong motor.

I have been scraping the block looking for #'s that would tell me if it was a 5540 or 5580 series engine. Are there any numbers? Where should I look?

I am a Ford restorer, this is my first (of many to come!) Packard. The more I get into this car, the more I appreciate the Packard Motor Company. These guys were great with design, both mechanical & aesthetic. What a car!

Thanks,

My great uncle used to have a caddy with the inflatable suspension in 1960. He said it was a big gimmick and by 1962 Cadillac recalled them and had to put coils all the way around because of all the problems. I guess he said the ride wasn't that good anyway, claiming it felt like "your car was riding on 4 red rubber balls all the time". Quite bouncy I guess, if you can get any more floaty/bouncy than a cadillac.

Don
'55 Four Hundred

Randy-

WOW!! One look at your awesome 400 with dual spot lights, I am absolutely going to invest in a pair. Your car is one of the most beautiful I have seen yet. Thanks for the Help.

Don
'55 Four Hundred

Just got back from the Portland Oregon Swap Meet this weekend. It is a 3 day swap meet, which is exhausting! While working at my booth, I decided to take a stroll and see what else was out there. I ran into the Seattle Packard Companys booth and talked to David Moe. He is a nice guy, and had alot
of neat stuff for all years packard. I was interested in a spot light for the 55-56. He described it as having a very long length on the slide as it has to go through the dash and through the fender. Does anyone have a picture of a car with one before I purchase it? I was curious to see one on a car before purchasing one.

Also ran across a BEAUTIFUL 1955 400 turquoise/white for sale. It is identical in every way to my 400. The only exception is that it had manual windows. I was drooling all over this one. So was everyone else. Than as the swap meet was closing and everyone was lining up for the shuttle buses to take us back to the parking area, the packard started up and was leaving. He stopped the car with the front wheels on a speed bump, and right there before everyones eyes the torsion bar system kicked in and leveled out. The other people in line were talking about it "Ah, they ruined that car putting bags on it!" I had to speak up "nah thats factory, torsion bar suspension with a motor that keeps the car level at all times". The debate was on. "My 95 roadmaster wagon has that system!" ."They never did that in '55!". By the end of the bus ride I had them convinced that is was factory, and yes, they did that in 1955! This was the Ultimate "Ask the man who owns one" moment.
Also, here is a pic of my car as I found it.


Don
1955 Four Hundred
Ask me, I own one

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Forgot to thank Jd in Kc! so thank you too.

Don

Thanks BH,BigKev & Randy,

The info has certainly been great to get. I have tried to break the engine free. First with PB blaster in the spark plug holes, letting it soak and trying to bust it loose with a breaker bar on the harmonic balancer bolt. Than I tried Diesel in the cylinders. Than I pulled the heads off and tried to pound them with a chunk of wood. This engine is just seized up real good. I plan on swapping motors and than dismantle the original engine and slowly rebuild it and than swap it out again at a later time.

Where do I get a good engine kit? I have read on here about a melling oil pump? What mods are absolutely necessary to make my Packard a good reliable runner?

Thanks,
Don