Why did Packard never offer a marine version of the 120 engine?

Posted by su8overdrive On 2012/3/10 6:36:19

Anyone know why Packard sold marine versions only of the 245-ci six and 356-ci Su8, but never the 282-ci One-Twenty engine? A 3M engineer in Texas i bought some parts from for my '40 120 in 1975 told me they were still using Packard 120 engines working 24/7 irrigation pumps down there, governors set at 1800 or 2000 rpm.

BTW, in 1940, Augie Duesenberg was offering a marine version of the 254-ci Hudson splash-oiled straight 8.

Chris Craft runabouts used either a Chrysler flathead six, Packard 245-ci flathead six, or Gray Marine flathead six.

I don't think Buick offered either the small or large ohv straight eight as a marine version. Perhaps they didn't need the business, or the babbitt bearings retained through '48 were too expensive on overhaul?

But the Packard 1935-47 Packard One-Twenty 282-ci engine, as we know, was and is a good, dependable, husky engine. Did Packard figure it was superfluous, given the 245-ci six's durable, thriftier power? Or maybe it wouldn't take the sustained full-power flogging the marine six would, which was also used in severe taxi service.

?