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Found a 1937 237 6 cylinder engine locally.
Will this fit in place of a 1941 245 6 cylinder engine?
Hollander does not show an interchange compatibility for the '37 with '41, just 1937-1940 and 1941-1947....
O Packard gurus, what say ye?

Yes, the basic engine blocks are the same and will bolt right in. I used a 1941 engine in a 115C temporarily many years ago.
The water pumps are different. The 1937 pump still used a packing gland and bronze bushings which was changed to an internal seal and permanently lubricated shaft and bearing assembly in 1938. Either type should bolt up to the 1937 block.
The manifolds are also different due to different carburetors being used as original equipment. The automatic choke heat was provided by a passage from the exhaust bypass around the intake manifold in 1937 and from a tube through the exhaust manifold in 1941. Again either manifold will bolt up to the 1937 block.

Thanks you for the information, it helps the decision making process very much.
Would you happen to know if the flywheel from the '41 will bolt up to the '37 ?
The Packard parts manual shows a difference in part numbers.
I would like to use the '41 gearbox mated to the '37 block. Is it possible?
Many thanks again.

I checked with Fred Kanter on this one:

The 37 and 41 water pumps will not bolt up interchangeably. 35-7 are the same, 38-50 all use the same housing and all bolt up interchangeably but hub diameter and heights are different.

You can install a complete '41 engine in a '37 , the hub will put the fan so close to the radiator core that you can't remove the fan or belt without pulling the front clip. Fred and Dan found out the hard way. If you use the '41 manifold you must use the '41 exhaust pipe. If you use the '37 manifold you can use the existing pipe.

There may be other differences but they'll be minor and easily overcome.

Thanks
James