Re: Just a few RPMs from total destruction

Posted by Tim Cole On 2013/8/2 8:35:11

I don't have one of those valve retainers on my desk at the moment, but when I was a kid, I had this BSA motorcycle and I took the cylinder head to a machine shop where they put small block Chevy valves in it rather than new seats. So how special can those retainers possibly be?

Those other notes are intended to show that if you want to abuse an engine there are cheaper ways to do so than Packards. I don't think 60 year and older Packards are up to the task. I repaired my share of motors that blew up on the highway.

If the test track Patrician had the 3.07 rear it would only be turning 3900 which is pretty relaxed. I saw lots of V-8's go the distance provided they weren't abused. In reality the 1935 15,000 WOT run of an Eight with 4.69 final drive was a harsher test.