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

Where can I find the procedure for adjusting the valves on my 1951 Straight Eight?

Probably not necessary. The 1951 327 had hydraulic valve lifters. If that one did I would guess the 288 did as well

A bit of information is on page 22 of the engine section of service manual--but an aftermarket Motors or Chiltons Manual may provide more general procedural detail.

As Bob1951 mentioned, you may not need to adjust. Look at the engine serial number. In 51, if it is a 288 from J200001 to J275000 it would probably have solids. All other engines had hydraulic. If your number is in the range but at the end of the serial number there is an H, then it was equipped with hydraulic on special order.

Of course, that doesn't mean the original hydraulics are still there. They could have been changed through the years. I know of one engine changed because the owner couldn't afford new hydraulic lifters but had a parts engine with solids so in they went.

All of the 1951-1954 288's were solid Lifters.

Frank

The Chilton's manual covering your era has 2 different procedures for adjusting valves in the front matter. The Motor's manual may have one too.


Regards


John Harley

The '51 to '54 service manual on this site has the info. <url>https://www.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/servicemanual5154/Engine_IX.pdf</url> I believe it starts on page 24.

I think I read somewhere that they should be adjusted every 20k miles. I can't remember where. Maybe the service manual or the owners manual.

If you plan on doing a lot of driving you may want to consider increasing the lash as the original specs where oriented towards not only a super smooth running engine but a QUIET one as well.

Yes, loose valves can burn, but if you experience any seat recession they your lash will go tight not loose.

Now that you have to go a little further than across town to find your local Packard dealer (unless your time machine is more reliable than mine), valves are a little more difficult to come by so you want to modify a few specs to take that into account.