Packard Forum Index » Modification Discussion

Hello, what are your thoughts on a straight eight for my 37 115C business coupe, what are the mods. necessary to do this? Thanks, Richard

Quote:G'day Richard,
to PackardInfo. I'd think this would be quite a job although the trans should bolt straight onto the bellhousing. Reason being the 120 eights are a longer engine and that length was built into the 120's frame and body, would be a fair bit of modification to squeeze it in Probably better off to rebuild your 6 cylinder and save a lot of hassles.

And a request, could you please include your '37 115C Business Coupe in the Packard Owner's Registry, together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it?

And I strongly suggest, Kev our Webmaster, move your post and mine into a separate thread titled something like "Convert '37 115C to straight eight?" or something similar. Because these posts bear no resemblence whatsoever to the topic they are located in.

Agreed.....done.

Ain't Gonna happen. There are other options, for sure, V-8 or 6cyl Jag motor, but Straight 8... no.

G'day all, Agree with David, If you want a 120, buy one, don't screw up the 115C. Best Regards Peter Toet

Thank you Peter , I dont want a 120.I want my 115C bus coupe with 200 hp without going the full hot rod route. I am interested to know what work it would be. I had my previous 115 C bus. coupe for twenty years with stock six. Just curious. Richard

I am under the impression that the extra length for the 8 was ahead of the cowl. If so, would think that anything to accommodate the extra would be a real butcher job to frame or cowl or both and new front end sheet metal at the least would be needed.

If you want 200hp then you only real Packard option would be a V8 motor from a 55/56. Otherwise the only Straight Eight with that horsepower would be '54 359 (212hp). But as others have said that wont fit without some serious surgery.

Thanks, I have thought about a packard eight, how much alteration do you think that would involve? Richard

I'm gonna say this again, since everyone seems to agree with me for once. (And where the heck it Eric to disagree - as he is attempting to doing just this into a 115c frame...)
As far as putting a straight 8, it aint gonna happen. Picture the bellhousing location staying the same (clutch geometry etc, that you must maintain) Now picture the length to the front where the engine mounts. Now add 9 inches. See my point? Where you gonna mount the front of the engine - cantilever out past the front frame? And a radiator? the 288/327 block is even longer than a 282 block, so forget that idea.
Now a 3.8/4.2 Jag engine, we can talk about that. I've seen it done. DOHC/triple carbs...it don't get much sexier than that.