Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I should know this, I've had my Packard for 35 years, but the answer
is not registering.. What size Battery does the 46 Seniors have
24, 27, etc.. Seems like I'm replacing batteries in all my car's right now
and I know the one in the Packard is way out of date...
Best

I presume you mean '56 Seniors. Correct size is group 60 which is no longer made as I understand

If you do mean 46 senior, 41-50 Clipper style bodies use the long 19+ inch Gr 2E or a 3EH battery. Napa has one 3EH and Tractor Supply sells an Exide 3EH. Both are 1000 CCA. One thing to watch on the 3EH batteries is the width at 4 3/8 or 4 1/4 respectively. They are slightly wider than the 2E which is 4 1/8. The Napa 2E is only 770 CCA so that is a bit of an issue for the senior 356 engine and most have gone with the larger battery.

Just be aware the 46 hold down may have a fit problem you choose a 3EH. I had to widen my 47 hold down to get it over the battery and so have others. It appears Packard widened them at some point -- maybe for 22nd series -- and some have had no issues installing the wider batteries so your hold down might have been changed and be OK too.

His inquiry is posted in the 55-56 forum, that's why I presumed he meant 56

Quote:

Probably does but if not the asked for info then it might still be useful for someone with an earlier car.

thanks everyone, it is a 56 The Four hundred


Sorry I input 46, but meant 56... Damn I should know what
Packard I have after 35 years.

Now... someone said the battery for a 56 Senior would be a
group 60... and also said it was no longer made in "mass" production.
Delco makes ones $270.00
I looked at a v65 nope to long and wide

My battery tray is 13 x 6.5"

And since I am not going to spend $270.00 on a battery I need to
find one that is like 11.5 x 6.5"

Again sorry for the confusion of year, as you can see I made the
appropriate change..
Thanks again

On another subject does anyone know if the end caps for the
king pins are available, they are not reusable...
Best

".....it is a 46 The Four hundred"

Must be an early one!

Sorry, can't help myself.....

Hello!!!

The first Packard Patrician 400 4 door sedan was 1951 and continued to 1953. I believe the 1954 was called just Patrician??

In 1955-1956 "The Four Hundred" was a 2 door hardtop and the script on the front fenders and trunk read "The Four Hundred"

There never was a 46 "The Four Hundred" unless it was made in Japan and powered by 2 D cells.

OK, I have done hours of internet searches looking for the
correct battery. Yes I know I could use something else,but
sometimes you just have to go for it..
For those that don't know, the BCI groups batteries in
10's so a group 50, would go up to 59, a group 70 would go to 79
Group 60 is the same way..
Out of all the Brands I searched, and I'm not saying I searched every
brand, but those I did like Excide, Interstate, DieHard, Delco etc
only Motorcraft and Duracell make a battery that would fit the battery
tray almost to original.
the 56 (The 400 Hunderd) battery tray is 13 x 7" nominal
Motorcraft has a battery BXT64 12.28 x 6.23 x 8.83" and

Duracell is a SLI64 11.75 x 6.25 x 8.875"

I have yet to find a store that carries either on, and I live in
SoCal...
Thanks to all of you who had input
Best

Randy found a group 31 battery would fit nicely some years back and linked a mfg. The link in his post is no longer accurate but Crown Battery appears to still be in business and by selecting the product list for heavy duty and farm equipment then clicking on the download specifications button a page of applicable gr 31 batteries can be viewed. A few posts down in that thread Big Kev posted a link to another thread where more batteries that others have used in V8s are listed.