Re: Suspension Question

Posted by BH On 2014/1/18 10:33:50

markincoosbay -

I can understand your frustration with trying to resurrect a non-running vehicle that needs everything.

However, a Mopar V8 in a Packard is nothing new. Over 20 years ago, Mike Dulinski (of MN) installed not only a old Chrysler V8, but the TF trans, rear axle, and (tailored) driveshaft in a 55 Packard 400, while retaining the T-L suspension. He calls it the 'Pacsler' and even towed with it. Installing a complete drivetain from another car had to be a lot easier (and smarter) than playing mix-n-match.

In more recent years, another member, here, dropped the body from a 48 model onto a Dakota chassis and drove the thing all over the place, but we haven't heard from him in quite some time. I believe Keith (PackardV8) has the original, running chassis from that car.

Not sure what you hope to accomplish by installing a front suspension from something like a Nova - even from one of the few years that an SS with BBC was offered.

Dunno why anyone would think of using a Volare suspension - perhaps the poorest example of a torsion bar front suspension to ever hit the streets. Yeah, Chrysler Corp. pimped out the Volare/Aspen (F-body) platform for years to make the Diplomat, Lebaron, GranFury, NewYorker, and FifthAvenue (M-bodies) and even the Mirada, Cordoba and Imperial (RWD J-bodies), but those were some of the sloppiest riding/handling cars I ever had the misfortune to drive.

Front wheel track (tread width) of your 51 Pat is spec'd at 60". The 68-79 Nova is close at 59.8, but those Mopar M- and J-bodies are only 58.2". Are you really up for all the work involved in splitting/stretching a crossmember and then trying to fit it to the Packard frame? I'm not sure if you could even do that with Volare/Aspen suspension since the torsion bars are mounted transversely.

Meanwhile, other than seals and bearings, you're not likely to find replacement parts for these other cars sitting on the shelf of any parts store when you need 'em.

What's the conventional coil/leaf suspension on your Packard lacking that these other cars have?

I'd think it would be easier and less costly to find and install a good used Packard engine and trans. If you want something different, mebbee upgrade it to a 4-bbl., open up the exhaust, apply custom paint/trim, etc. - stuff that can be easily undone. Dunno what it would take to add a supercharger.