There are a couple of beautiful '57 Packard wagons I've seen restored.

Can't ever call the '58s beautiful in my eye; distinctive, unusual, different, yes.

jack vines

A point for discussion. I once attended a joint congressional committee meeting discussing safety standards for new cars.

One of the insurance industry experts told me privately, "Building more safety features into cars doesn't prevent accidents. It just allows the numbnuts to survive the accidents they cause. The safest car to drive would be those which have a 12-gauge shotgun shell built into the steering column which in an accident would discharge and kill the driver. Those cars would never be in a collision."

He went on to explain, as more safety features, such as anti-lock brakes, air bags, anti-skid controls, were designed, drivers just go faster, closer together and use up that additional margin of safety.

Same with modifying a Packard; it can never be anywhere "safe" by current standards, but the driver can choose to drive more safely than 99% of those around him.

jack vines

There are very few Packards remaining which would be worth a fraction of the cost of a restoration, so easy to think of modifying them.

But then since Packard has no following among the rod nuts, there are very few Packards remaining which when modified would bring a fraction of the cost of building.

jack vines

Agree; in the end one's money is refunded, but the waste of time cannot be gotten back.

jack vines

An eBay listing for King Racing Packard V8 rod bearings will result in receiving Ford FE bearings.

When I pointed it out for a refund, "We get all our info from the eBay data base and they say it's for Packards."

BTW, I seldom to never buy off eBay for those reasons, but a Packard friend forwarded the listing to me and because of that, I didn't look as closely as I should have; I know King never made Packard V8 rod bearings, fer gosh sakes!

jack vines

jack vines

Since he's in Sweden, accessibility of parts is several levels more expensive and more difficult.

When an overseas member asks to buy parts, we try to do them the favor, even though by the time we're done with the hassle of securely packaging, customs forms, overseas shipping, it's not a profitable exchange.

Here in the US, we routinely turn down offers of 320" core engines. There's little demand for them and they cost the same to build as a 352".

jack vines

Hi, Ernie,

That's typical of most original Packard V8s.

What oil are you using and what is the hot oil pressure?

In the summer, use 15-40, but in fall, use at least 10-40 and overfill by 1/2qt. This should help the problem.

However, once it starts, it only gets worse. Back in the day, some Service Departments patched the problem by replacing the main bearings.

Today, you can replace your worn oil pump with a kit developed on this forum which uses a new Oldsmobile V8 pump. This often solves the problem for most owners. PM me if you are interested.

jack vines

A friend is building a 327" and needs a coolant distribution tube. Naturally, Kanter and Egge don't have them.

Any suggestions?

jack vines

Six years old news now and discussed here many times. Most of that long block was mine; Arias forged pistons, Iskenderian roller cam. The intake was done at Portland Engine.

jack vines

I have three loose cork front/rear oil pan seals which may or may not be for the Packard V8; all are .400" wide and from .205" to .220" thick.

7" long unmarked
7.375" long C9215
7.75" long C9214

Any info appreciated.

jack vines

p.s. - while on the subject of pan seals, I've noticed the current production pan seals in the Best gasket sets to be .250", considerably thicker than the old stock I have. This makes them a huge PITA to get positioned and pulled down evenly.

jv