Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I'm rebuilding the engine in my 56 Deluxe. The block is to be bored due to cylinder rust, so I'm going to need pistons. I want to have a car that can be driven without worrying about it. I don't mind that they are not stock. From what I've read, it looks like I will need to have pistons made.
What experiences have people had with the custom piston makers and are there recommendations? If they have been made, are those specs available?

Thanks,

Bob

I was under the impression pistons for the 352 which was the factory engine in the 56 Deluxe still had limited stock available and those for the senior 374 engine had to be custom made.

A question for those better informed: is that incorrect or are 352s also NLA?

Lester Harris has Many Packard pistons @ (775) 267-2559

The Egge cast 352" pistons are still available. From Kanter, they list for $550 a set.

The most recent set of forged but stock dimension 374" pistons I had made were $850.

A set of high performance custom forged pistons, with thin performance rings, was $1200.

jack vines

G'day Bob(56Clippers),
to PackardInfo.

And, I invite you to include your '56 Clipper Deluxe in the Packard Owner's Registry.

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That sounds correct.

Craig

Thanks for the information.
To continue, I think I need to include my definitions of performance levels:

Museum: The car is driven out of the museum, onto the transporter, and off at the show. It may be used in an occasional parade.

Driver: The car can be driven in any situation just as a new car. I should feel comfortable taking the car on a 500 mile trip on the highway, easily keeping up with traffic, at any time.

High Performance: The car can be driven in any situation just as a new car. I should feel comfortable driving the car on a track.

My target is to have a Driver. I have other cars that I take to the track. Having only choices on either side of the Driver level, I would go with a higher level of performance.

From what I've read, the Egge piston seems to fall more in the Museum category. That would seem to leave the custom forged piston as the best option. The next question would be piston design, should it be stock in appearance or are there improvements worth making. Compression height seems to be the one design element that must be retained.

Egge pistons are more than adequate for a driver.

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Agree. The back story is several years ago, Egge went through a time when their quality control was unsatisfactory. That was then. If you're getting new production, today's Egge 352" pistons are definitely up to driver and even mild performance use.

jack vines

Has Egge changed their material? I ask because Jack had commented previously about having to run much higher clearance to allow for expansion and had significant slap.