Re: Packard V8s Can Be Finicky, & One Thing Often Leads To Another

Posted by Joe Hall On 2014/1/5 10:26:15

Hi Jack,
As mentioned above, the ring grooves are OK, as is wear on the piston skirt, and inside the cylinders. There is barely any ring groove at the top of any of the cylinders.

Based on the one I removed, I'd have no qualms re-using these pistons, with .003" OS pins.

I kinda like seeing how long the old stuff will last. Its easier to just re-new everything, and often just as cheap dollar-wise. But I'd rather go this route when feasible, since it can be a testament to the old iron.

At any rate, 90,000 miles on the rod bearings is sub-standard in my book. Since #7 & 8 are still OK, it points to oil circulation. I ran this motor with an OEM oil pump the first 75,000 of those miles, and only swapped the Olds pump in about 15,000 miles ago. I bet if the Olds pump had been installed from mile one, those bearings woulda faired better.

As for the original tick, I'm gonna bet the rod was bent. Will know in a month or so, since I plan on buttoning the motor back up in the next few days. When the weather clears up, the car will be back on the road. No need for a seasonal shutdown here in the mild climate of Kentucky.
Thanks,
Joe