Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Dear jokunen:

The clearances in the Packard manual are for tin plated pistons with expansion struts. These features are no longer available. Thus, do not use the specs in the manual.

Your machinist should have the guideline clearances for cast pistons. I know for forged units the clearance is .0025.

I was on the phone to EGGE today about some pistons and they want slots toward the camshaft. I'll have to check if they use an offset.

Has anybody ever noticed that I belong to Packardinfo.com?? and my last name is Kanter??
Has anyone ever called us and asked if our pistons are from EGGE?? DUH???

We have pistons specifically manufactured for us by a major piston manufacturer. We do not buy ours from EGGE. Instead of muddying the waters and getting everyone confused and writing dozens of posts...........just ask.

I'm home tonight having gotten the night off from my boss so I don't have the clearance specs available. We sell thousands of pistons a month for all cars and rarely get clearance questions. Machine shops that do boring know what to do.

I will research tomorrow.

Fred Kanter...hmm ofcource. In first place I indeed did ask clearance recommendation from Kanter Packard department, Kanter didn't find and told me to write packardinfo . That's why we are writing here and I think now this is worth it! I'm sure you Fred can solve this problem now . Normally machinist know what to do but it is not the first time they make mistakes. And I want only double check, do it once do it right!
And thank you all for nice replies

Are these aluminum or cast iron pistons?

The wristpin offset is only there for noise reduction at cold start up. Putting the pin away from the cam side will be quieter, moving closer to the cam will give you a better angle to the crankshaft and give you more horsepower.

And Packard beat them all by offsetting the cylinder bore relative to the crank. Believe you will find there is no offset in at least the 1940-54 3.5 and 3.56"pistons as they took care of that question in the block. Have not measured (indeed, can not) but hear it was 1/16".

All Packards at least from the mid-20's have aluminum pistons

Didn't they use some cast-iron pistons around the war years when aluminum was being rationed? I could have sworn I saw a Service Bulletin on that.

Fred, I believe that in 1942 certain models reverted to cast iron pistons as a result of WW IIs strategic metals restrictions.

From SL-VOL16NO18, and references to previous service letters on the subject:

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Jokunen, welcome to PackardInfo.com.

Quote:

Dozens?

At the moment his post counter says 5.

Getting everyone confused?

Our new member asked for clarification as recommended by company Kanter.

Jokunen, we are happy to have you aboard!

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