Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

In the spring I’m planning to go go thru the 320 I got for my Clipper. It’s a Hudson/Nash style engine (with matching transmission); this is pretty much exactly what I have. I also have a 1955 Packard Clipper Custom engine already in the car. I want to be able to take the best shared parts from both to make one decent engine and one boat anchor.

I know that the accessories (starter, distributor, generator, fuel / vacuum / oil pumps) for the engine are different, but I am not concerned with those. Mainly I am wondering what is compatible between the two for the engine proper. Heads, intake manifold, exhaust manifold? Anything else of interest?

Regarding inspection, is the service manual sufficient to tear down, inspect, and reassemble? Any tips? I will have an engine stand.

Also, does the 320 oil pump have the same problem where people want to do the Olds conversions, or is that only for the big block V8s?

HPH, new member (long time lurker) here.
I know the 320 was original eng for '55 Deluxe but since you have the 5640 engine, I would stick with that since neither is numbers matching. The '56 352 heads were better (bigger valves and better flow)and if I remember cams were different. Also, many moons ago I read where the Hudson and Nash engine were de-rated from the Packard. If the 5640 eng has the 2394 WCFB carb I would definitely rebuild that eng. I would still rebuild it with the 2393S 2bbl. over the 320 (and round up a 4bbl manifold and carb). 275 hp vs 240? Much better driveability. Do the Olds pump mod.

Quote:
packardbill, and rather than just lurk, please include any Packard/s you may own in PackardInfo's Packard Vehicle Registry.

Bill,

I appreciate the advice, but have you seen the condition of the car? It's pretty rough I'm really trying to keep this build as low cost as is feasible.

The reason I picked up the 320 for it is because it seems to be in much better shape than the 352 in it. The 320 actually has no numbers in the Packard location, so I can make it numbers matching if I want.

After a bit of research, here is the list. The notation is, e.g. "55--56" means there are two styles: one for 1955, and one for 1956. Note that these apply to groups and not parts. For example, some bearings are the same on all engines as a set, but not interchangeable amongst themselves. The intended purpose of this cross reference if if you have an engine for parts, or a spare rebuild kit for a different engine, what can be used. Note also that some different parts would be compatible between different engines even though they are not the same; further research may be required in this regard, specific to the part in question.

Most electrical and fuel parts are not included since they are already easily cross-referenced in the Specifications list in the service manual.

V8 ENGINE PARTS COMPATIBILITY

Oil pump, all component parts:

Same 55-56 except:
- 5.1219, 5.1220, 5.1202 (pressure relief): Changed in 1956.

Main engine, large/external parts:
Same 55-56:
- 4.0311 - GASKET-DISTRIBUTOR
- 4.03163 - CLAMP-DISTRIBUTOR HOLD DOWN
- 4.0633 - Temp sender
- 5.04032 - GASKET-BEARING CAP
- 5.05075 - GASKET-CYLINDER HEAD WATER OUTLET COVER
- 5.0800 - COVER ASSEMBLY-GEAR
- 5.0801 - GASKET (timing chain case)
- 5.08035 - SEAL ASSEMBLY-CRANKSHAFT FRONT OIL
- 5.0900 - MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY-EXHAUST: Except some HW.
- 5.0908 - VALVE-EXHAUST MANIFOLD HEAT CONTROL
- 5.09083 - GASKET-EXHAUST MANIFOLD HEAT CONTROL VALVE
- 5.1001 - CAP-OIL FILLER
- 5.1009 - FILTER ASSEMBLY-OIL
- 5.1101 - GASKET SET-OIL PAN
- 5.1102 - Oil dipstick
- 5.1107 - Oil dipstick tube
- 5.1603 - INSULATOR-FRONT
- 5.17015 - GASKET SET-VALVE COVER
- 5.17133 - BAFFLE-TAPPET COVER
- 5.17136 - TUBE ASSEMBLY-TAPPET COVER BREATHER
- 5.17137 - CLAMP-TAPPET COVER BREATHER TUBE
- 5.17138 - GASKET-TAPPET COVER
- 5.1900 - WATER PUMP ASSEMBLY
- 5.19123 - MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY-WATER: Except extra clip on 56.
- 5.19125 - GASKET-WATER MANIFOLD
- 5.19127 - FLANGE-WATER MANIFOLD OUTLET
- 5.19128 - GASKET-WATER MANIFOLD OUTLET FLANGE
- 5.19129 - THERMOSTAT-WATER MANIFOLD: Except high temp option.
- 6.108 - GASKET-FLANGE (exhaust manifold valve)
- 9.203 - GASKET-FUEL PUMP

Different:
- 3.510 - BELL HOUSING: 55--56, HW same.
- 4.03001 - DISTRIBUTOR:
- 4.0622 - Oil sender: Junior/Senior.
- 4.1105 - SPARK PLUGS: Gasket same.
- 5.0500 - CYLINDER AND PISTON ASSEMBLY (short block)
- 5.0503 - CYLINDER HEAD ASSEMBLY
- 5.0504 - GASKET-HEAD: 374--else.
- 5.05073 - COVER-CYLINDER HEAD WATER OUTLET
- 5.0604 - COVER-LOWER: 55--56, HW same.
- 5.0902 - GASKET SET-EXHAUST AND INTAKE: 56 352--else.
- 5.0920 - MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY-INTAKE
- 5.1000 - FILLER-OIL: 55--56.
- 5.1015 - TUBE ASSEMBLY-OIL FILTER INLET: A/C cars--else, HW same.
- 5.1016 - TUBE ASSEMBLY-OIL FILTER OUTLET: 55--56--A/C cars, HW same.
- 5.1100 - OIL PAN ASSEMBLY: 55--56, HW same.
- 5.1609 - INSULATOR ASSEMBLY-REAR: Manual--Ultramatic.
- 5.1701 - COVER ASSEMBLY-VALVE
- 5.17131 - COVER ASSEMBLY-TAPPET: Convertible--else.

Crankshaft, camshaft, pistons, etc.:
Same 55-56:
- 5.0101 - BEARING (camshaft)
- 5.0105 - CHAIN-DRIVING
- 5.0110 - SPACER
- 5.01105 - ECCENTRIC-FUEL PUMP
- 5.0111 - SPROCKET
- 5.0200 - ROD BUSHING AND ASSEMBLY-CONN
- 5.0201 - BOLT (on connecting rod)
- 5.0203 - BEARING ASSEMBLY (conn. rod to cr/s)
- 5.0204 - BUSHING-PISTON PIN
- 5.0402 - BEARING ASSEMBLY (cr/s to block)
- 5.0407 - OIL SEAL-REAR BRG CAP
- 5.04095 - OIL SLINGER-CRANKSHAFT
- 5.04105 - SPROCKET
- 5.1401 - PIN (in piston)
- 5.1402 - LOCK-PIN: Changed in 55.
- 5.170501 - DEFLECTOR-VALVE INTAKE OIL
- 5.170502 - LEVER ROCKER
- 5.170504 - SHAFT ASSEMBLY-ROCKER LEVER
- 5.170505 - BRACKET-ROCKER LEVER SHAFT
- 5.170506 - SPACER-ROCKER LEVER SHAFT
- 5.170507 - SPRING WASHER-ROCKER LEVER SHAFT SPACE
- 5.170508 - SPRING-ROCKER LEVER SHAFT
- 5.1707 - KEY-VALVE SPRING
- 5.1708 - SEAT-VALVE SPRING
- 5.1800 - DAMPER ASSEMBLY

Different 55-56:
- 5.0100 - CAMSHAFT: 55--56
- 5.0112 - THRUST PLATE: 55--56, HW same.
- 5.0400 - CRANKSHAFT: 320--else.
- 5.0403 - BEARING CAP: 55--56.
- 5.0404 - SCREW-BEARING CAP: 55--56.
- 5.0600 - FLYWHEEL ASSEMBLY: Manual--Ultramatic.
- 5.1400 - PISTON KIT (ALUMINUM)
- 5.14025 - RING SET
- 5.1700 - VALVE-EXHAUST AND INTAKE: Exhaust same, intake 55--56.
- 5.170503 - ROD-ROCKER LEVER PUSH: 55--56.
- 5.1706 - SPRING-VALVE: 55--56.
- 5.1711 - TAPPET ASSEMBLY-VALVE: 55--56.

Misc engine:
Same 55-56:
- 5.19127 - FLANGE-WATER MANIFOLD OUTLET
- 5.1928 - FAN
- 5.1930 - PULLEY-FAN

You might also look thru the 55 service bulletins and counselors for early and late 55 engine changes or fixes. They did have some early oiling and machining issues and no idea where the Hudson engine would fall in that early/late time frame. AMC might have addressed something by making some of their own parts differently. I think AMC might have also used a dual action fuel pump for aux vacuum rather than the crankcase item.

Good idea, need to check the engine bulletins sometime.

Correct, the fuel pump on the Nash style is a fuel/vacuum combo. The carburetor is also different, a Carter WGD instead of a Carter WCFB. The starter and generator are Auto-lite but I believe neither the same as what Packard used. I don't know yet on the oil pump construction, whether it also has a vacuum pump.

Along with other minor changes like the fan used, and oil filter placement/tubing.