Re: How much demand is there for PV8C oil pump adapter kits?

Posted by Jack Vines On 2008/11/5 20:47:32

FWIW, I've spent years analyzing the Packard V8 oil pump problems:

1. Yes, as Craig has said, the '55 oil pump is a flawed design. We differ in I feel there IS enough gear area, there just isn't enough bearing area. The big block Mopars with the same deck height use an intermediate bushing at the top of the drive shaft and a longer bearing area in the oil pump The Packard engineers did three design changes to the oiling system. By the time they were finished in late '56, it was good for 100kmiles IF the oil was changed regularly and kept at the full mark. Two of the modifications, the cam spacer/ retainer plate and the dip tube, are easy. The redesigned oil pump with the internal bypass is unobtanium.

2. No, the fixes to the Packard pump are neither easy nor inexpensive. Eric/Craig's Olds conversion cost began this discussion. I tooled up to remanufacture the oil pump with a longer top bearing and a new thick iron bottom plate with a bearing, did a run of six and decided no one would pay $500 for an oil pump.

3. Maybe, there is an easier and less expensive fix than Eric/Craig's Olds conversion or my redesign, but no one has found it yet.

thnx, jack vines
Studebaker-Packard V8 Limited
Spokane, WA