Re: What about the 25K 105mph V8 Patrician?

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2011/4/9 13:26:49

Top speed of the 52 Patrician or 400 straight eight was reported by Tom McCahill to be 101 or 102 MPH. He drove a new car on Packard's test track when he made this test.

So the top speed of the last straight eights would be above 100 MPH and possibly 105 or so for the 54 212HP models.

They must have been comparing engine life at high speeds. I am sure a straight eight Packard would go for 100,000 miles at normal hiway speeds but as you point out, on a long stroke motor piston speed goes through the roof and ring and piston wear are greatly accelerated at such high speeds while rods and rod bearings take a pounding.

The short stroke V8 experienced lower piston speeds and less bottom end stress at high speeds while the heavy complicated pushrod valve train would be pushed to its limits.