Re: new to the packard world---HELP

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2009/4/10 3:18:18

Your engine will have all the power you need. Developed horsepower only tells half the story.

Far more important in every day driving is torque, and a broad power band in other words, torque at all speeds.

This is where the old long stroke flathead engines shine. Your car in top shape, is capable of idling along in dead silence at 5 MPH in high gear, and then accelerating away up to 70 MPH without any sign of stress. Top speed would be 85 or 90 MPH.

In those days there were no automatic transmissions. Smoothness, silence, and ease of driving at all speeds, were the hallmarks of a quality car.

Believe me, you will experience no lack of power in normal use.

As for the engine itself, they are built to be overhauled periodically during their service life. All parts are available and they are much easier to work on than new engines.

In other words it would be easier and cheaper to rebuild your old engine, than to substitute a new one.