Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

My 1950 series 2300 Packard engine is a disaster! The 288 engine runs rough, is down on power, and has low compression. This is what I get for trusting a Packard owner on an Ebay ad that was full of lies. This scam artist "ironofdetroit" sold me a "running, roadworthy Packard with a 327 engine" for top dollar, and instead it has a 288 engine that needs an overhaul! Now we pulled the head and the cylinders are badly scored, probably from broken rings.
The Packard has an automatic transmission. Do I remove the engine and transmission together or separately? Are there other tips or tricks that I need to know about regarding removing the engine? Thanks in advance.

Have you verified the Engine Serial number? It was quite common to put a 288 head on a 327 block to increase the compression.

My '54 327 has a 288 head on it. If you can tell us the engine serial number, then we can tell you exactly what motor you actually have right down to what year it was from.

The engine serial number starts with a letter followed by 5/6 numbers and will be on a machined pad on the drivers side of the motor towards the back. Basically above the starter. If it's hard to read, then rub it with a piece of chalk, and wipe it off to make it more visible.

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Sometimes, I noticed that both of my '48 288's don't have a pad there, at all. Still trying to figure out where it's at. Don't know how a '50 is, but if it's like a '48, there is no pad. I'm getting ready to go up there and install the radiator today, I'll take some pics of the offending area.

I seem to remember that the 48-50 and earlier motor numbers are down in the area of the distributor on the 120-style motors, and are definately near the fuel pump at the interface of the crankcase and bore casting on the aluminum crankcase/iron block Eights.

On my '50 (actually '49) 356, it's located just under the head above the distributor. No real pad as such, just a hard to read number stamped on the block.

I found the engine number on the left rear of the block. It is H264097. Can anyone tell me what this means?

I just yesterday pulled the head off and measured the bore and stroke. It is 3.50 bore and 3.75 stroke. That seems to confirm the 288 engine.

Your # confirms a 23rd series (1950) Eight engine.

Maybe you could get some #s for me?

1. Vehicle # from the cowl plate (23XX-5-XXXX)
2. Large embossed # from the cowl (<9XXXXX)
3. Briggs # (small tag on the cowl near the heater box, may be similar or the same as the vehicle #).

I'll be glad to interpret them for you when I get them.

thanks.

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Dave,

Fred's Owner Registry entry shows "VIN NUMBER: 236221959".

I couldn't find Fred in the Owner's Registry, I probably don't know how to use it properly. Did he also list the thief-proof #? One isn't much use w/o the other.

Dave,

It's listed as a '56(the default) so that's why you couldn't find it. And no Thief-proof # given.