Re: 1949 288 Custom Eight Packard Clutch

Posted by HH56 On 2022/6/9 9:09:13

If it is a Custom with the 356 engine look into clutch plates for a larger Ford F series truck. One poster said the F150 clutch will fit but he didn't specify year. The 288 engines used a different plate but our vendors should be able to supply the correct item.

Several have mentioned over the years it is far better to have an original plate relined rather than use the truck plate. Engagement is said to be much smoother with the Packard original. Might have something to do with the dampening springs in the plates.

The oil filter was standard on the 356 which used hydraulic lifters but optional on the other engines which used solid lifters. With or without a filter the Packard oil change recommendation for normal driving was change oil every 1000 to 2000 miles. Unless you are going to drive your Packard far more than most of us today I would guess that with limited mileage, as long as the oil is kept at the correct level a two to three year interval would be safe.