Newbie here,with a question about an engine swap.

Posted by Palanirides On 2010/9/5 14:49:01

Hi,everyone...I'm possibly purchasing a Packard. :)

Well,I have a lead on a 1948 Deluxe Sedan for Seven (similar to the black one pictured here on the first page of your photo archive[Gerald T Capak's one]) that I'd like to purchase if the seller and I can agree on a price after an independent third party goes to check it out for me.It's in the midwest and I'm in San Diego. It looks to be in pretty good shape given the pictures recently displayed on Ebay,but the seller says the original straight eight engine has a "weldable" crack in a water jacket area. I was hoping to make it road worthy in a year or two (finances being the key there). With that in mind,I've been doing a lot of cramming in the last 48 hours researching all I can the into a temporary good suitable straight six replacement for it;I like what I've read about the higher horsepower Ford I6(I'm a Ford guy at heart)engines out there. Beside the very IMPORTANT reason of keeping all alterations to a minimum (I have to be practical here should I decide to later sell it),the reason I'd like to go with this engine is that it's economical, powerful enough, parts are everywhere, and seems the best choice in terms of simplicity and fabrication(engine mounts,transmission linkage,etc)until I decided where I would want to go with this car. Getting it road worthy would be more practical for me in terms of getting it to places that can work on the body,paint,upholstery,etc,also. Is this engine a good choice,or are there more suitable options for this particular car,its engine bay,its drive train,etc.? Has anyone ever had this done to cars of the 22nd,23td,or 24th series? I'm just wondering about what obstacles I might face.

I did talk to the seller this past Saturday and he said the body and frame are basically sound with minimal surface rust.He did say that the windows have some browning around the edges. Is there anything that can be done about the browning,or are there good windows still out there for this model?

Thank you for reading this...If I do purchase this vehicle,I hope it does not become a project that will languish in my back yard for years.I really love this car's looks,and I've always wanted to own a car so few have. :)