Re: My "New" Packard 400 ID info

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2012/3/17 8:44:37

You have a 1951 Patrician, identified by the first 4 digits of the vehicle number, 2452. The body was made by Briggs which also put a tag on the firewall as you've found though the correct vehicle number is the one found on the VN tag on the driver's door jamb - they don't always match as the sequence of delivery from Briggs wasn't always the sequence of final car production. Your "thief-proof" number, A70240, is in the range for 1951 - I've studied the thief-proof numbers extensively and we can talk about that more if you wish. The engine # is correct for a 1951 Patrician and it is indeed a 327 cubic inch with 9 main bearings. Someone has obviously replaced the cylinder head at some point with that from a 288 engine. Paint code Q is Ash Green; both trim codes 501 and 601 are among those available for your car. Both 501 and 601 are tan wool broadcloths.

No, a 288 cylinder head will not fit on a 1938 Eight (282) engine. Numbers on cylinder heads are often not very useful as they often include casting numbers (different than part numbers) and casting dates. 288, 327 and 359 heads with all interchange, with resultant changes in compression ratio.