Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

New to the forum and to Packard. I recently picked up an engine/trans that I believe to be a '48 based on the serial number (G285396CE) but date codes on the block (1-26-1949) and head (1-21-1949) don't seem to agree. Am I reading the decoder wrong, are those not date codes, were they still stamping 48s into 49, or what?

Built a stand, rebuilt carb, changed points/plugs and was able to run it briefly until I can set up a radiator.

youtube.com/watch?v=NZT4kNjIlew

First, read through this:packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=2727

But also you should know that Packard made their cars by "series", not model year. The 22nd series bridged the 1948-49 model year. That being said, most cars will have both a Series and model year number. So you could have a 1948 22nd series car, or a 1949 22nd series car. Or a 1949 23rd series car...

I think you are confusing a 22nd series engine serial# with 1948 only. In fact 22nd series went into 1949. Engine casting date being Jan 1949 suggests that the engine probably went into a 22nd series car.

We obviously responded at same time.

Thanks guys. First thing I did, even before joining this forum, was find the packardinfo.com serial number data. But I did not understand the series vs years thing so that clears it up. No idea what it came out of (other than what a 288 would have been in) as I bought it sitting on a pallet after who knows how many years. It's a nice introduction to Packard though and already has me looking at a local '46 with the 356.

The 356 was used from 1940 through 1950 but be prepared to spend LOTS of money if you buy one that must be rebuilt! If you do find a good one not needing work, be sure to buy a Packard that used that engine originally as I believe the front chassis was longer to accommodate it but if not, the suspension was heavier to accommodate the extra weight.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Seems nothing I get interested in is cheap! I didn't commit the exact model to memory since I was mainly looking for an engine at the time but it's supposed to be original to the car and with ~75k showing on odometer.