Re: Did a compression test

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2009/7/21 14:03:47

Good manners are a characteristic of old flathead inline engines like your Packard.

They will continue to run smoothly and quietly in an advanced state of wear. Sometimes the only symptoms are sluggishness, lack of power, and poor low speed running.

It its heyday a ring and valve job every 20000 to 300000 miles was routine maintenance, as others have pointed out.

Sometime between 50000 and 80000 a full rebuild would be necessary.

Check your oil pressure to verify the state of the bearings. If oil pressure is good and the cylinders are not tapered over .007 then a set of rings and a valve job, and your car should run as good as new.

If the cylinders need truing and the bearings are worn, then plan on taking the engine out for a complete rebuild.