Conn, One of the sweetest sounds to my ears is the roar of a Merlin engine be it a Rolls -Royce in a Supermarine Spitfire or a P-51. As a kid living along the Detroit River I also had the thrill of watching and hearing the big Merlin and Allison powered hydo plane boats vying for the Harmsworth Trophy etc.
My father was in the Canadian Navy during World War 11 and served in the English Channel on Motor Torpedo boats which were powered by 4 Packard marine V-12 engines. He always spoke very highly of the reliability and power that these engines provided. Packard contributed so much to the war effort it is a shame that it's contributions are not as well known as they ought to be.

Thanks, Terrill advertises in the PAC news letter for years and their prices are about as low as I can find so maybe they are the people to go with, Thanks.

"Owen" I haven't got as far as checking the journals for scuffing, taper or clearances yet but that wasn't the question. I see that there are several suppliers; Kanter, Merritt and others, even an E-Bay store but the prices vary by as much as $100 a set. If the bearings have not been made in the US or Canada in some time by big major bearing makers the suppliers are using either NOS or the ones made from offshore (China?). I just thought I would throw the question out and see what experiences others had buying bearings from the known suppliers.

This winter one of my projects is to inspect and if necessary replace the main and rod bearings in my 356CID engine Packard. It has a dull knock at start up when hot that instantly goes away when oil pressure builds and the oil pressure when hot is not the greatest at idle. I have been searching publications and the net for the best price and I find that they are all over the map. I am concerned that lowest price is usually not the best quality so I am asking what others have experienced with bearings and if a good brand name or supplier can be suggested.

Bernardi, I have read numerous accounts on the web about engines with flat tappets having the cams ruined by use of the new SM grade oils without ZDDP. There is a long thread on the subject on the AACA Forum.
Seafoam has actually been around since the 1930's developed by an employee of Evinrude Outboard engines hence the name. It is an excellent product for cleaning carbon and gum from engines both in the gas and oil. I use it regularly in my cars to keep injectors working properly, cleaning carbon from cylinders and in the oil just before changing it in the Packard. I hope that doesn't sound like a commercial. I don't own any stock in whatever company makes it!

The positive cable should attach to the rear most bolt that holds the generator bracket to the block if I am not mistaken. I also added a ground strap from the transmission to the frame just to be sure I have a good ground but probably a bit of overkill. Be sure the ground and positive cables are the heavy duty thick 6 volt variety ("0" gauge) and not the skinny 12 volt type.

When I got my Packard it had only been operated rarely in almost 50 years. The second owner who bought the car in 1955 apparently never once drove it in over 20 years. When After dropping the oil pan (always a good idea on an old engine!) and cleaning out the heavy sludge I found there, the engine also had a serious main seal leak. After switching to Rotella 15/40 I have noticed that the seal has almost entirely stopped leaking. I attribute this more to the fact that the car is now being driven much more than in many years. There are no other seals leaks in the engine in the time I have used Rotella.

I have been using Rotella in my '47 for two years and it seems to fine. My one concern is that the 15/40 is now rated as a CJ4 and SM oil and I am worried about the absence of "zinc" (ZDDP) which I have read can cause damage to flat tappet valve lifters. I am considering using a cheaper brand that is rated SL or using a additive with the Rotella like GM EOS oil fortifier. If you Google the topic you will find all kinds of information and I suppose misinformation on the subject.

Owen and Big Kev, Many thanks for locating and posting the article. the next time I am in Windsor I will take a walk down to where the plants were located and get some photos.

John, Thanks for the information. The next time I am in Windsor I will go and look and see if there are any remnants of building and take some photos. I know the neighbourhoods where the plants were located and grew up less than a mile from them.. Great information, many thanks to you and "Owen".