Packard Forum Index » Modification Discussion

The paint job on the Panther is almost done. In the intervening time since I dropped it off at the paint shop and now, I've been making excellent progress assembling the engine. It is pretty much standard Packard procedure except for the pistons and file-to-fit piston rings. The pistons are forged aluminum by Ross and require 0.006in piston-to-wall clearance. The rings required a lot of careful work to get the end gap (0.017in, 0.015in, 0.015in) exactly right across the board. The pistons pins are also full floating with double Spiro-Lock retainers. Here are a couple of pictures:




Of course the engine has the Olds HV oil pump adaption with the full flow oil filter modification. Here's a picture:



Here's the completed top end with Lazer Cam components:



Details and a few more pictures here:
1956packardpanther.com/Panther/engine_Panther2.html

Underway right now is the engine paint and top end with Caribbean 2x4 intake system. More pictures soon.

Craig

Hi, Craig,

Lookin' good!

What cam specs did you decide to go with?

jack vines

1956packardpanther.com/Panther/lazerCam.html

This is a bad-ass, rumpity rump 4-speed cam.

The computer sim says 406HP gross at the flywheel. An old friend of mine knows guys at WesTech where he's done tests:

westechperformance.com

I'll be taking it there in a few months and strapping it onto their chassis dyno for a tune. I think 325HP at the rear wheel would be good. In any case, I'll have the whole session video taped and put it up on YouTube as well as my website for all to see. As they say, the bu!!sh!t stops when the rubber meets the road.

I'll have pictures of the finished engine in a few days and will post them here.

Craig

The Panther 374CID engine is essentially completely assembled. The Autolite distributor (high performance overhaul by Jack Vines), plug wires, spark plugs and a few NPT plugs are all that remain to be installed. Here are a couple of pictures taken today:





The headers are one of three sets I custom made. The intake is 1956 Caribbean with blocked heat crossover. The carbs are new Holley #9776 single pumper 465CFM specially designed for dual quad. The carb linkage is progressive with light throttle being run off the primaries of the rear carb. The air cleaners are K&N "Arrow" dual quad type.

Craig

Lookin' good, Craig!

(That's not some leftover Pontiac paint is it?)

Jack Vines

Dupli-color DE1616, what I'm calling "Panther Blue."

Craig

Here's a better view of the engine paint color and the valve cover on the D-side:



I'm still debating in my mind whether to paint and attach the "Packard" script from the rear fenders on Seniors to the valve covers. They are exactly the same size and font.

Craig

I decided to paint and attach the large "Packard" script to the valve covers. I attached them by drilling and tapping the script with #8-32 short machine screws from underneath secured with lock washer and Blue Loctite. Here's the result:

Very attractive. The scripts add a nice finishing touch. JWL

Thanks. Here's a slightly different perspective that emphasizes the thickness of the script: