Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I am not an engineer, or a hotrodder, so pardon my ignorance, but does it matter on a driver car?

Was it just the natural progression of manufacturing?

If you'd go back and follow the last time we discussed this, the forged crank didn't come until some years after Packard/Detroit closed down, so the supposition was that the original source for Packards V8 cast cranks, Auto Specialties Manufacturing Co. was no longer in a position to provide spares and since Studebaker had their own forge, using it was the easiest way to provide a continuing supply of spares.

No, for a driver it doesn't matter. Others may have but I can't say I've ever heard of a failure of a cast Packard crankshaft, and this was a proven process, Ford and Chrysler were among the other early users of this technique.

For a bit of further info, see:

packardclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=643

When I look close, I see a casting line in the steel and the pictures in the Packard manual match the pictures in the ad.

The Packard company specified cast steel for the crankshaft, and the part numbers didn't change for 55 and 56.

So the only way it could be forged is if it is not a Packard product.

Tim, I didn't look at the picture closely, but it's easy to tell the cast from forged crank - the cast crank has hollow rod journals and they are solid on the forged crank.

I'm not sure just what you mean when you say it's not a "Packard" product, it's a product of Studebaker-Packard and there is a disclosure of it in the S-P service bulletins a few years after 1956. The bulletin has been cited and posted before when this was discussed.

Perhaps someone else can lead you to the prior thread on this.

Tim. I'll have to side with Owens replies to u.
Here is the link (just one of them most recent):

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb ... orum=3&post_id=95584#forumpost95584

However, u bring up a good point:
"I see a casting line in the steel and the pictures ..."

I suppose we would need a pic of another FORGED Packard crank or known forged crank to compare. I doubt that the eBay pic will be available for very long. Maybe 2 weeks.

Quote:

Been many years ago, but as I recall it was a 56J balancer with worn rubber isolator on a 374 crate motor (service long block) installed in a 56 GH. The crank split between the #1 & #3 rod journal as I remember. It still ran fine as the rods held it together, just a steady "tic, tic, tic".

An experienced old time mechanic friend declared "broken crank" as I pulled into his shop with the engine running.

This is the only one I've ever heard of.

Just noted the auction ended with no bids at $1250 opening.

jack vines

You wouldn't happen to have any of those forged cranks left would you Mr. Vines?

G'day rstone,
to PackardInfo. While I don't have a forged crankshaft I invite you to include your Packard/s, be they equipped with forged crankshafts or not, in the Packard Owner's Registry here on PackardInfo!

Quote:No, don't have any left and haven't seen one in years. If one came along, I'd value it at $750-1,000.

And no, I've never seen a cast crank break in regular use.

The main advantage of a forged crank would be if one were building a stroker engine for racing.

jack vines