Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Quote:

I believe the baffles were added when the valve seals were not controlling the oil adequately. They could be installed easier than taking the heads apart to install new seals. That's what I recall.

(o{I}o)

Let's remember there were two styles of baffles, those meant for field service and those that were factory installed. Factory units installed under the valve springs, and the field service units installed on the rocker arm stanchions. Details are in a Service Counselor.

Were they really necessary? My 56 Carib is a very late car, assembled early June 1956, and with a properly numbered early engine #, C-1137 it does not have the baffles and also uses no oil between changes. The SC does not, as most TSBs do, indicate the Utica plant engine numbers at which the change took place but is merely identified as "1955 and early 1956".

Quote:

PV8,

No need to get complicated, you answered the question in the second paragraph. Your real question is WHY there is a NEED for for people to spend money on these parts. The answer is that people often spend money simply because a smart entrepreneur is offering them something and implying that they need it. Y'know, makin' money.

If there is a real or perceived or even potential problem where such parts can be of help, rebuilders may have different approaches... seals, baffles, both... or neither. There are apparently many Packard V8s out there that have required no "fixes," and hold their oil just fine.

That doesn't mean it's necessarily a bad idea to install some recommended parts when doing a rebuild on an engine that did not use oil excessively. In that case, it's just an extra ounce of prevention for the rebuilder.