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I am wondering what the engine differences were in the Super 8's in the 1930's. Are these details written down or published somewhere?

As I've posted, I'm looking for a 1937 cylinder block to use on a 1938 engine. I've been told that the '37 block is almost a perfect fit, save for drilling some oil drain holes in the valve chamber. Likewise, I've been told the 1939 cylinder block would be tough to fit since it's significantly different.

But how about a '36 cylinder block? How about a '35 block? For that matter, '34? '33? etc?

I'd really like to know the differences in these engines, not only just to understand, but if a '35 block would work, I know of one locally.
--Scott

Based on your previous correspondence, do you mean '38 into a '37?

Either way, I am in Saratoga, so if you need a hand dropping in an engine or just want to talk Packards, let me know.

The breather tube is on the middle left in '37 and on the front right in '38.

The super 8 before 1937 is 384 cu inch, and the eight is 320 cu inch. So essentially you're looking for an "eight"if you go 36 or earlier.

For the 320 engine, lots of changes over it's decade of use.

1. Oil cooler and full-flow filter adopted in 34 along with finned rod caps. Cooler and filter arrangement changed in 35 and up.

2. Insert rod bearings beginning in '35.

3. Block casting and manifold arrangement changed in '33 for downdraft carburetion.

4. Generator changed sides and from chain to belt drive in '37(?).

5. Oil breather inlet changed in style around 1937.

6. Internal water jacket revised in '38.

7. Dual coil NE ignition in '33 and dropped for '35.

8. Front engine mounts changed in '31 or '32?


And on and on and on. Similar changes in the 384 Super eight thru 1936.

1939 is all by itself.

29-36 all use the same cylinder block gasket so any of those blocks can be dropped onto a crankcase to make a running engine. The head gaskets for 34-38 are the same so I would think you can do the same for 37-38. I just don't have the 37-38 cylinder block gasket part numbers.

So if you have your block gasket you can check it against the 1937 block.

Packard changed those motors every year with 35 and 36 being the least changed, but they left them similar enough that blocks from other year motors were being swapped to keep cars running.