Re: V8 engine castings

Posted by PackardV8 On 2010/8/25 16:56:30

Strictly speculation on my part that the Packard V8, or any abundant overruns of the V8, would have been at some time sheduled/considered for somekind, ANY kind, of heavy truck use. OF course it didn't happen.

Late stick bellhousings, abundant overrun of engines, and other oddities surrounding the v8 engines seems to present at least mediocre evidence that passenger car use was not an exclusive plan for the V8.

Prior to early 60's here in the US there were but a very few diesel engines in actual operation in any industry. Many hiway tractors were still running gasoline and the truck version of the 235 Chevy 6. Moreover, there was even still alot of steam powered locomotives in operation up thru as late as 57 or 58. MY POINT is that Diesel was still in it's infancy relative to wide use in the US.

So the Packard V8 would have been an excellent adaptation to heavy trucks if even for only just 2 or 3 short years. I'm suprised that companies like Harvester or Mack or White didn't try to pick up on the Packard V8 tooling for their truck production.

One thing is for sure, the Packard V8 would have been an optimal truck engine, even if only for a short 2 to 4 years after 1956.

I suppose one other speculation to consider is how long after 1956 did Stokes offer the Packard V8 ????