Re: Motor rebuild questions

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2017/3/21 17:07:27

The bearings are poured babbitt. If the journals are good and the bearings are good best leave them alone. If the journals are good the bearings can be scraped and shimmed to a like new fit. I hope some babbitt bearing experts will chime in. Last I heard new poured bearings cost $200 apiece and you have 13 or more.

On old motors valve guides are replaceable. In pre 1955 motors it is common that they came with exhaust valve seat inserts, although I do not know what Packard's policy was, you likely have them. They can be reground smooth and are good as new.

If you are converting to 12 volt negative ground you can use an MSD ignition box with your points and they will last forever. Just check for wear and adjust gap if necessary every 10000 miles. A Ford thick film ignition module will do the same thing and is smaller.

Synchros should not be necessary if you know how to shift gears. It is not a hard knack to learn. The trick is to match the engine's speed to the car's speed and the gears will mesh perfect. Or just shift slowly and it won't matter.

Later... am informed by Owen Dyneto that Packards did not use valve seat inserts.