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I have been working to preserve my Dads 1939 Packard Six. It is coming along quite nicely, completed the dash and window trim wood graining, heater refinish, king pins, brakes, master cylinder, headliner and ready to tackle more of the interior.

The engine is a bit noisier, at times, than I like. Some is valve lifters but I think I hear something more substantial from time to time, rod bearing?

My Dad believed this car had a taxi engine. How can I identify that? How is teh taxi engine different from a norma Six?

Thanks in adance

john

Hi John:

I don't believe Packard had a taxi cab series of cars in 1939 so if your engine is original to the car it isn't a "taxi" engine. I believe 1941 was Packard's first offering of a 6-cylinder taxi; a check of your motor number will tell you if you have a transplanted motor.

Generally, the Packard taxis had heavier duty springs, rear axle, clutch, higher output generator, larger brakes, and a few other items. But I believe the only difference in the engines was the use of positive crankcase ventilation on the taxi motors and I'm not even sure that extended back to the 1941 taxis. Someone else will have more details I'm sure, and correct me if I'm in error.

Thanks Owen

How can I tell from the engine number? Fro that, is there a way to find out if this is the original engine? B26354A is stamped on the block

The engine serial numbers can be found here on this site.

Thanks Don

Is there anyway to ascertain if this is the original engine for this car?

I also only see taxis listed on much later years here yet elsewhere on the web, were available as taxis around 39 - 41

Your engine number is a fairly late one for a '39 Six. If your VN# 1282-XXXXX is also late in the production run you can be reasonably confident it is original to your car. I'd imagine O_D can probably advise whether your VN number is a late one

In addition to the VN, the theft-proof number would also be helpful in looking at the time line.

Sorry for this dumb question, are you referring to casting numbers? I see 412248 on the block and two different embossing's on the head, 395488 and 31848

Casting numbers aren't useful for this. In addition to the motor number we'd want the vehicle number from the patent plate, the delivery date if it's stamped, and the theft-proof number which is the large 6-digit number embossed into the engine side of the cowl.

The cowling is embossed with 504060 , vehicle ID number is 1282-18211 delivered by Tigue Motor Company in Keokuk Iowa. Date is gone