Re: WTB: 1939-40 160 Coupe Super 8

Posted by FirstEliminator On 2024/7/8 14:20:17

Hi Ross,
I've always believed in the notion "there is no replacement for displacement". Why would I not want the 356? Perhaps with the right rear gear, the 282 with OD could be a good combo? The reason I am looking for more pep is on The Great Race, there were a lot of steep hills the car must traverse at a certain speed. Many of the low HP cars struggled on the hills and had to compensate to make up the time. The 120 I did drive did not have much pep, it was very sluggish. I'm not sure how out of tune or worn the engine may have been. Using that 120 would have been tough to maintain mph on an uphill.
Which ever engine I choose, whether 282 or 356 will be getting rebuilt. It would get some porting, custom pistons to raise compression, regrind cam, optimize timing and perhaps find a bigger carb. I've never worked on a Packard engine. Getting 200+ hp from a 282 doesn't seem like a big challenge. But then again, I'm not yet aware of the design obstacles to be crossed all while keeping external appearances stock original.

Mark