Re: Question For Packard12

Posted by Peter Hartmann On 2008/8/8 9:09:55

I should have added, in my comments above (in response to John's curiosity and others commenting about his question about differences between Packard V-12's and Super Eights), that yes, it is correct that the TRANSMISSIONS were the same.

The reason Pacakrd could get away with the same transmission for all of its "big" cars, in spite of the substantial power output differences, is simple.

Of course all other things being equal, the more raw power you put thru a drive train, the heavier the parts need to be.

But they are not equal ! The fact that the more cylinders you have, the SMOOTHER the power output! This, for gear train design, reduces the need for additional strength.

As a side-note, Cadillac engineers, as was the case with Packard, were able to demonstrate it was perfectly safe to use the same transmission in their 1930's era products, in spite of the equally vast power differences between their eights, their twelves, and the Cadillac V-16.

Of interest on the much greater power output of the V-12 - take a look at the "U joint" flanges on the back of a Packard V-12's transmission and drive shaft, and compare these with those of the "Super Eight".

And, yes, I believe the Gemmer steering gear is the same on all "Senior" Packards.