I may be a bit slow but wouldn't it be easier to buy a 55 or 56 hardtop with torsion level?

I'm sure they make a 2 barrel throttle body injection for V8 engines, Chev used them on pickup trucks for a number of years. Small block and big block versions. No doubt other makes had them too. Should be easy to find one but will it work with the Holley system?

I'm not going to knock you for trying to keep an engineless Packard on the road. It sounds like you have the skills and the tools to do the job.

If I were doing the job I would start by removing the hood and the front clip and setting them aside. Then clean the frame and test fit the engine and trans. If you have an empty block and trans case so much the better. This will allow you to measure and make engine mounts and trans mounts. With engine and trans in place you can go on to fit the driveshaft, exhaust, engine wiring, throttle linkage and other parts before putting the front clip back on.

There are a lot of little details which actually take longer, and cost more, than setting the engine and trans in place but no doubt you know that.

Good luck, and please take some pictures and detailed description of the work. This question comes up once in a while but so far no one has actually done the job and come back to tell about it.

This is one of those deals where, if you have to ask, and if economy is a consideration, it might be best not to bother.

I have done a few engine swaps. I have a fully equipped garage with engine hoist, jacks, jack stands, welding equipment, chop saw, grinder etc. I also have a good Chev 350 and Turbo400 tranny out back in an old motorhome.

If I had to I could probably have the engine in your Packard and running in a week or so. Since I already have nearly everything and can do my own work, it might cost under $1000 out of pocket for mounts, driveshaft, new exhaust system, radiator, hoses, battery, etc etc etc.

This is a roundabout way of saying this is a harder, more expensive job than it looks.

Since 50s Packards are not that rare or expensive you might be better off buying one with a good engine and selling your old one or parting it out.

If you don't have a fully equipped shop, and were planning on paying a good mechanic to do the job, expect to pay $2000 or more if you supply the engine and trans.

Typical life of stock shock absorbers is 20,000 to 25,000 miles. They may not be broken or leaking but no longer function 100%. Put on a new set and get back the new car ride.

While you are at it get an alignement. I know guys who have done these things and transformed the ride and handling of their car for a couple hundred bucks.

What about the inside? If it isn't protected it will rust, the rust particles will clog the fuel filter or carburetor and eventually rust through.

Powder coating would be great for the outside but the inside needs coating too.

Your engine has a compression ratio of 7:1 and gas of 70 octane is recommended. So, regular 87 octane will be fine.

In 1948 low lead and no lead gas was common. Large amounts of lead additives began to be used about 1955. It is the 1955 - 1970 models that need lead.

You can add some upper cylinder lube to the gas to protect valves, rings and cylinders. Redex, Bardahl, Marvel Mystery Oil or some prefer 2 stroke oil. Some believe this extends engine life between overhauls, others don't bother. It's up to you.

Joeyearl I am pleased that someone benefited from that old post. I'm not sure if I am happier because you saved a lot of money or because your Packard now rides like a Packard lol. Maybe a little of both. I used to post on that board under the name Reverend Rust.

I and others have posted the same advice on various boards including this one.

You may want to check the shocks at your next oil change. Top them up,if some more air bubbles have worked their way out. And look for leaks. If the shafts are leaking it helps to clean away the dirt and grease, and wrap string around and around the shaft as tight as possible. This will not replace the seals but will slow down the leaks.

Ford made a big thing out of safety in their advertising in 1955. Things like improved door locks, impact absorbing steering wheel, padded dash, and optional seat belts.

The rest of the industry followed. I know Studebaker offered seat belts in 1956 if not earlier.

Incidentally while Ford was emphasizing safety Chevrolet was emphasizing speed, power and performance with their new V8. Chevrolet beat Ford's brains out in sales. For 1957 Ford dropped the safety pitch and pushed their new longer, lower wider styling and bigger more powerful engines. Ford beat Chev in sales for the first time since the Model T days.That put an end to safety as a car selling feature.

I think seat belt mountings became mandatory in 1963 and seat belts themselves in 1966.

The picture of the Packard door with seat belt attached reminds me of old road tests of the 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk with door mounted belts. I guess it was a Studebaker - Packard thing. Not very safe looking especially in an accident that popped the doors open.

Preston Tucker wanted to equip his car with seat belts in 1948 but was talked out of it. I think if the car had made production they would have at least been offered as an accessory.

They were available from the early fifties but I can't tell you exactly when. I think Volvo was one of the first to offer them.

From time to time the auto industry tried to sell safety going back to the 1926 Safety Stutz if not earlier. But safety was a hard sell and not something the public was interested in especially if it cost money.

So nobody has any comments or maybe nobody bothered to watch?