Re: How come Packard didn't make an OHV straight 8?

Posted by Eric Boyle On 2008/6/18 20:14:54

In 1954, there was only two manufacturers of flathead straight eights, or any straight eights in particular. This was Packard and Pontiac. Flathead sixes lasted quite longer, with Plymouth having one until 1959, (Actually, the Plymouth 6 lasted until 1972, in industial form) and Studebaker until 1960.

As for the OHV question, I really have no idea why they didn't, other than the fact that it's cheaper to build a flathead, and you have much more positive valve actuation with a flathead as compared to an OHV cam-in-block engine.

Eric, Packard Proctologist