Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Here's the deal guys:

I've sold about 50 of these units by a variety of means in about the last 2-1/2 years.

I have 100% satisfaction on how these adapter kits work.

However, it is expensive to make even one of these adapter blocks and driveshafts on a one-off basis. Also to be included is the specialized brass 0.010 shim, the grade-8 bolts and the instructions.

I'm at at a decision point on these kits. Either I quit making them or find somebody to invest some $$$ to CNC the core parts.

I'd like your feedback on this.

Craig

There's at least 3 or 4 Packard vendors. See if one of them wants to do it. Try Kanter. Maybe he'll want to do it. Maybe JV ??? Joel Ray??? Max Marrit????? Pick one.

I have already contacted one of those you cited.

There is a procedure to follow, which I may or may not do depending on the resultant unit cost.

Any of those are going to want a W-D level discount. I've been there and done that.

It all depends on where we are on the "demand curve".

Craig

So no one has an opinion on where we are on the "demand curve"?

Craig

the conversion doesn't sound like a bad idea and i would probably be interested, but i am not anywhere near that point in my restoration....sooo....if you don't have it at that point i will, hopefully, get Bob Aller to repair mine.

Hank

How many times does this have to be said?

The original Packard oil pump is completely inadequate!

Rebuilding it does NOTHING to solve the real problem.

All you have to do to prove this to yourself is take the base plate off the the original Packard oil pump and ditto on the Melling replacement Olds 350/455 oil pump Melling #M22FHV. Look at the root teeth volume. If you know anything about hydrualics, or know anyone who does, then there is NO COMPARISON on pumping capacity.

Rebuilding an inadequate pump is a waste of time and effort.

Your choice and your engine.

Craig

I'm going to add one more simple hydraulic explanation on the oil pump adaption.

Any V-8 oil system is a controlled LEAK.

As the engine wears out, the leaks increase.

Some parts can be fixed, like the bearings.

Some parts cannot be fixed, like the lifter gallery clearance.

Unless the oil pump can supply MORE oil VOLUME than the current engine LEAKS need, there will be NO PRESSURE and at least lifter clatter, if not bearing failure.

This is what the Melling/Olds 350/455 oil pump with adapter kit does: it supplies 20% more oil VOLUME than the Packard oil pump EVER WILL. It is simple hydraulics.

The ONLY solution to this problem is an oil pump with more pumping volume per unit rotation. The answer is the Melling Olds 350/455 pump which requires an adapter kit to mate to the Packard V-8.

It's as simple as that.

Your choice, your engine.

Craig

I would think that the best opinion of the demand curve would be held by the vendors selling parts. They know how many V8's are still out there.

What criteria would one use to determine a demand curve???? Where would they get the data??

Craig, what's your view point of the demand curve???? 50 pumps in 2.5 years = 1.6 pumps / month. There is the the demand UNTIL all V8's are converted so how many V8's extant???

How many V-8s extant. That is the question, isn't it.

I do not know.

I do know what it would cost to produce 50 more CNC'd.

The big Q is: would it be worth it?

Craig

Can u write the CNC program????? Know anyone that can???? It's a fairly simple machining process so i'm guessing the CNC program is fairly simple. I mean it's not like cutting a block or trans case. The big cost is getting the CNC program written?????