Re: 359 Straight Eight Engine

Posted by PackardV8 On 2010/12/16 8:19:51

"A '54 359 9 Bearing motor, Hydraulic Lifter (found in the 400 series cars) with a 4bl carb is rated at 212 hp."

AND

"In '53, the Senors came with a 327 9 Bearing, Hydraulic Lifter which was also 180 HP."

Why couldn't a 53 Sr. 327 9 bearing engine be converted to a 359 by milling 1/8 inch piston crown clearence out of the 327 head and obtain a 359 crank???? Maybe have to cut 1/8" from the bottom of the 327 pistons. Of course this assumes that the 327 pistons are no smaller in diameter than the 359 pistons.

I'm not familiar with the Packard streight 8 variations but milling out a head for piston clearence and a stroked crank is not uncommon for strokeing an engine while using the same rods and pistons.

Rather costly yes. Cranks are expensive and so is milling out combustion chambers. PRobably better,easier and cheaper ways to pick up the extra 32 HP than stroking in this particular case.