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

I have a 1954, 327 Thunderbolt, 5 mainbearing, Packard engine that i?m going to use in a hotrod-project. (a -29 Pontiac 6) But i have one question: Is it possible to change the hydraulic lifters to mehcanical ones instead?
I really need to change them because most of them have parts missing and don?t seem to be in such a good shape, and new hydraulic lifters seem to cost a little more then I can afford...

Sorry for the language...=)

/Olle, Sweden.

I think it is possible to change to the mechanical lifters with no changes to Oil system or Camshaft.

As answered in your other identical thread:

It may be possible, but then you have to set lash periodically, etc. I have a 288 with hydraulic lifters and it ran just sewing machine smooth and never had to touch them. Also, if you think lifters are expensive, wait till you source the $1000 conversion kit so you can use a gm transmission setup. I would run the hydraulic if you can, even if solid gives you a slight power advantage. That's just personal preference.


Also, a packard straight eight is a hell of a long motor to shove in that car. Personally, i'd go with a pontiac, especially since they're all identical externally, so you can get a beat up $100 350 in there now and drop a 455 in and not have to change anything later if you get cash.

Packards and Pontiacs are like sex and wings. Man i love them both but i don't feel any urge to mix them

Good luck with your project no matter how you decide to go!

I believe the lobe profiles are different between hyd and mech lifter cams on the same engine. A friend swapped hyd to mech on a 1950 327 keeping the same (hyd) cam and could see no difference. The car has been driven many miles since the conversion and is still going strong without any need to readjust the lifters.

It is hard to find replacement hyd lifters when they go bad. I went thru about 30 of them to find 16 good ones when rebuilding a 1954 359. The design is unique to Packard and I believe one or two Caddy engines. I have a Packard straight 8 mechanical performance cam profile from Schneider Cams I could scan and post if you want. They charged me around $100 USD to grind one a few years ago, not sure about shipping costs for you.

Sounds like an interesting project you have going.

Thanks for your answers! I think im going to use solid lifters now that i know that it will work. The straight Packard 8 IS a long engine but I dont like to be like every one else and use chevy V8s.. I like to be different so Im going stick with my Thunderbolt=)

Go for it, be different. Will probably be the only Packard powered hot rod in Sweden. Want to be really different, get a 2500 Cu in Packard Marine engine as used in a PT boat, supercharged no less!!

Good luck, post some photos of the installation when done.