Re: Over-Drive vs Gear Change for a '34 Coupe

Posted by shinyhubcap On 2016/11/7 20:47:44

Hi Tom:

As Owen correctly points out, those old "long-stroke" motors with that absurdly low gearing, combined with original-style "poured babbit" connecting rod bearings most certainly should not be driven over 45-50 mph.

In the old days we'd go hunt in wrecking yards for wrecked '35 or later pre-war Packards to get the con-rods out of them. Their connecting rods ARE set up for "insert" style connecting rod bearings.

You may have heard about the famous test Packard did when introducing their 1935 line - they took a "bone stock" STANDARD eight and drove it wide open ( around 90 mph) for 25,000 mi. with no significant wear ( on disassembly, they said "the car could have been re-assembled and run that test again...!).

However, even tho an "insert rod bearing" equipped pre-war Packard CAN be driven that hard and that fast and that long, it is not a pleasant experience to have a motor spinning that fast.

I agree with Owen - leave your rear axle gearing alone.

Let's be realistic - your Standard Eight is MANY cubic inches of engine displacement smaller than the "big" Packards...so you don't have the raw torque to handle much higher rear axle ratios.

So - either keep your speed down the way Owen recommends, or get an over-drive - Gear Vendors, for example, is one brand my friends have had good luck with.

Once you get an overdrive, the difference in comfort will astound you as you glide over the countryside at 70 mph while everything forward of the rear axle output shaft thinks it is doing 48 mph...!

As far as handling goes, be assured pre-war Packards are superb handlers.

I have no idea why "Packard V8" made the statements he did about "curves in the road" - he is obviously ignorant of what it is like to drive a PROPERLY maintained pre-war Senior Packard at extreme speeds.

IF PROPERLY maintained, the pre-war Packards are SPORTS CARS when compared with the post-war Packards.

Let's discuss your pre-war Packard for what it IS. A superbly engineered driver that was in keeping with the Packard legend we are so proud of.

Your Packard came with excellent shock absorbers. Are they filled with hydraulic fluid and otherwise doing the outstanding job they were engineered for ?

Your Packard came with outstanding brakes. Yes, as a Packard lover, it is disappointing to me to drive a pre-war "rope-brake" equipped Packard that has NOT been properly maintained. Maybe that's the problem with "Packard V8"...maybe he got a ride in and/or drive some "costume jewelry" pre-war Packard, with all that implies in terms of terrible-to-truly frightening mechanical condition.

Again..PROPERLY maintained.... you make a panic stop with your pre-war Packard and you may put un-belted passengers thru your windshield!

Bottom line - listen to Owen !