Re: V8 pistons

Posted by BH On 2014/1/4 14:17:55

Keith -

I completely missed those low compression and export pistons. Yet, there are no listings for complete engines, short blocks, or even 'cylinder and piston' assemblies to service export or low compression applications.

Now, go back and look at the applications for the aforementioned shims. While a single intake manifold shim are covers all models, the two cylinder head shims (55 vs. 56) exclude the 5540 chassis, with 320-cid motor. It doesn't make sense to me that you'd need a shim for the intake if none were used for the head.

I can't believe that they would have only put a 320-mill in all models for export.

In fact, a road test of a 56 Clipper Custom (clearly showing RHD) published in the British magazine, Autocar, specs the engine displacement at "5,768 c.c. (352 cu. in.)". Another article (from an unspecified publication) features a 55 Clipper, but specs displacement as "5,243 c.c.", which equates to 320 cu. in. (rounded).

These articles are included as part of a collection of reprints in Brooklands' Packard Gold Portfolio - a title listed in this site's Bookshelf reference.

Meanwhile, I doubt if the parts catalog information was compiled or even maintained by just one person, which might account for some inconsistencies, though not necessarily such conflicting info.

Is it possible, then, that they were using the terms low compression and export interchangeably or was 'low compression' equipment offered for domestic as well as export models?