Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hi Howard and Don, can you identify the correct radiator core part number from this list? Greatly appreciated.

TC

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The Pacific is built on the 5431 chassis and would use the 455036 core.

When searching for parts in the book, mechanical parts USUALLY are listed under the chassis number and body parts are listed under the body ID number which would be 5477 for a Pacific. It is not a firm rule and there are exceptions.

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cool, thanks Howard!

I should mention that if the car has AC it uses a larger core which according to specs in the service counselor for 53 models has a flow rate of 39.1 GPM. I suppose even without AC, if you wanted a heavy duty radiator which might be better in hot desert climates or maybe if the car was destined for parades that AC spec radiator would be a good way to go. That core is 446509 and is listed a few lines above for the 26th series and all 54th with AC.

What I do find kind of intresting is across the board the 53 radiators had a higher gravity flow rate yet the largest CID engine was a 327. I would wonder if they cut the radiator size back in 54 just as some have reported they did by going to a starter motor that apparently has less power than the earlier motors. Could it be cost cutting was in force?

Hi Howard. I was looking to purchase a Packard radiator on ebay as a template to fabricate a new one. As we discussed my Pacific's part is #455036 and with a/c #446509. The ebay radiator presumably is for a 54 Clipper. The dimensions are slightly different than mine. Mine is 24"H X 25"W X 2", the ebay radiator is 23 1/4"H X 26 1/2"W X 3". I took some pictures of mine and noticed that it is a Rome-Turney Radiator with a stamp of LONG B4 on it. How is that possible? I thought Rome went south with Pierce-Arrow in the 30's?

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As far as I know all the 51-4 radiators are the same physical height and width. The thickness of the core will vary depending on the number of rows in the core but I believe the tanks are the same. Not familiar with all brands Packard used but I believe Modine was the most common. The Rome could be aftermarket or maybe someone bought the rights to the name like Chinese companies did with many of the old electronic brands such as Bell & Howell, Emerson, Crosley, etc etc.

55-6 models are almost the same size but there is a difference. I don't have the exact dimensions but those could be a bit shorter in height and slightly wider. If the radiator you show on the grass is the one on ebay it looks correct as far as the bottom outlet tube. If not, look at the ebay radiator and see if it for a V8. 51-4 has the lower outlet on the passenger side as the one laying on the grass does while 55-6 has it a few inches off center more toward the drivers side.

Packard used a vibration insulating mounting for their radiators on the V-8s and I believe the Contours too. They did not rigidly mount the radiator to the cradle, but used specially shaped rubber washers to allow for some movement from vibration. Over the years these rubber washers were not replaced or got lost and the radiators mounted rigidly.

I made my own radiator fastening kit when I was refurbishing the 55 Clipper Super. Thanks to a suggestion from Big Kev.

The kit consisted of four ?" bolts, four flat washers, four 5/16" short tubing bushings and eight rubber washers. The rubber washers were from a toilet mounting kit sold at home centers. The 5/16" bushings were cut from fuel line to a length that would let the ?" bolts be tight, but not overly crush the rubber washers. The rubber washers go on each side of the large top and bottom radiator bracket holes with the 516" tubing inserted through the rubber washers for the ?" bolts with flat washers to pass through. It is really very simple.

Here are some photos I took when doing the job.

Hope this helps.

Oh yes, two sheet metal screw goes into the middle small holes one each side of the radiator bracket.

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Thanks JW.

TC

Thanks Howard.

TC

The V8 radiator has the lower inlet on the driver's side while it is on the passenger side for the 1951-1954. As Howard indicated, the 1951-1954 are basically the same size and shape but somewhere in there the mounts were changed to add the rubber pads but I don't recall exactly when that happened or if the change also caused a change to the mounting flange.

That said, the A/C cars had a thicker core and different fan with more blades so if yours is factory A/C, you'll need to be sure you use the proper core. Too much cooling is nearly as bad as too little so it's important to get one that matches what was engineered for your particular engine and accessories.