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V. 8

Push buttons.

With 1930s style console..

Nah, I plan on keeping the floor shift.

Guess in your case the question would be what is cheaper -- fix or rebuild the Jag engine where engineering is already done but on an engine which can turn into a very expensive project or start from scratch with the Packard engine to give you something to work on and make your own.

There is at least one other Packard V8 installed in a late 30s model. The fellow who rebuilt my 47 engine had a shop in one of the So Cal cities and did it I think for a customer in the area. Showed it at one of the PI meets in the late 80s but don't remember which transmission it had. The engine did fit although it was tight and heads were very close to the hood.. I think the V8 is a bit wider and maybe lower than the Jag engine and IIRC there was some kind of U joint setup in the steering shaft needed to clear something. . Think it also had AC stuffed in too so that might have been some of the reason things were so tight.

I know that at one point, Ross and I were spit-balling about a V8 over the phone. The biggest concern for clearance would be the steering column. More than likely, some U-joints or offset mechanism would be required.

Well, shucks. The Jag engine is kind of what makes this car so exotic. It looks so "right" under the hood, whereas any V-8 (whether Packard or otherwise) will not look right no matter what. I understand the cost of fixing it, though.

I’m all for the Packard V8, it was an idea that came up from Flack when I was looking into the convertible coupe he had at one point in storage. I’d really like to see that.

I vote for a 245 with a custom 3 carb manifold. Ported. Relieved. Mild cam grind. Lightened flywheel. 2 1/2" exhaust with a glass pack. Paint it black with brass dress-up strips under the head nuts.

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I like where this is going

Remember boys, this is a 115 with 5 inches less between firewall and rad, it was tough enough shoehorning a 327 into a 120!
Bob J.

Probably easier done than trying to stuff in a V8 as long as none of the needed mounting areas were cut away for the Jag engine. On a hot engine keeping those brass strips pristine and polished might be a full time job though they do look good and add a bit of pizazz.