Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

That is the main number but there is another number stamped at the Utica plant when the engine was mfg'd and was the only number used before the engine met the car and had the VN assigned. It was the number frequently used when a field mod was done later too.

That number was on the rear R side of the block just below the exhaust manifold although in late 56 it might have been moved and could be in a spot near the VN. The numbers had a format of one or two letters using A thru D plus some numerals. Numerals I believe were sequential and while I don't believe there is a bulletin stating a definitive range of numbers for a particular model, there are a couple of 55 and 56 tech bulletins where you can get an idea of which letter was used on an engine destined to go in a particular model

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Thanks Howard for all the information and the attachment.
I really appreciate it.

Gary

1956 Utica plant motor number prefixes:

A = 5640, Ultramatic
AA = 5640, standard trans

B = 5660/5670, Ultramatic
BB = 5660/5670, standard trans

C= 5688 (Caribbean), Ultramatic only

D = 5680, Ultramatic
DD = 5680, standard shift


The numerical sequence # began at 1001. So for example, motor C-1501 would be the 501st Caribbean motor, with Twin Ultramatic.

So I tried brushing on the Bill Hirsh engine paint did not really cover and it had like a green hue to it. I think I may have to get a paint store supplier to put the paint I have into spray cans so that its mixed better and will have a better finish. Any ideas on this? Thanks Gary

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I used Bill Hirsch's paint on several 1956 Packard engines over several years... never a problem. But it has been decades since I did one of these, so who knows what the paint is like today. All I know is that if I stirred or shook well and brushed it on, it worked beautifully. Always. And never had any "green hue" in the paints I used.

Spray would have never improved finishes I got and frankly I felt the brushed-on paint (at least back then starting in the 1970s) provided superior coverage and dried very nicely. But things may have changed.

I did find a factory picture of a V-8 engine with a bronze pulley. However, they should be black. I only mention this because that is more proof than anybody has produced as to grinding and painting radiator shells that were originally chrome plated.

As well I don't remember if I changed the pulley, but I did change the generator bracket which is on backwards in the photo.

Pic of my Caribbean engine - Hirsch's paint.

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