Re: 51 Packard

Posted by Eric Boyle On 2010/10/22 15:07:37

I've heard from several people in the Packard world that the 288 is one of the best engines Packard made, since it has the shortest stroke of all the Packard straight eights. Like Fred said, shorter stroke=less wear at highway speed. Plus, it's a snappy little engine, doesn't take much to rev it up.

I do know that I was pleasantly surprised when I was driving my '48 with the 288. I was stopped at a gas station trying to cross two lanes of traffic. I had the engine revved up, foot on the clutch and the brake, ready to go. When there was a minor clearing in traffic, I dumped the clutch and took off. The dang thing laid rubber!!! Never in a million years would I have thought that the smallest straight eight had so much pep!

Look at it this way, you can drive the car with the 288 in it now, while you're looking for the correct 9 main 327 or even a 359 to drop in it in the future. Don't let the little 288 get ya down!