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

I just finished a complete rebuild of the engine. New 30 over pistons, reground camshaft , new valves and guides , new std. main rod and cam bearings and new timing chain. We had to take 20 thou. off of the cylinder head and 5 off of the block deck since the engine had run hot before I got it. Just wanting to check cylinder pressure after getting it running. I have seen post saying it will raise the compression. But wanted to make sure what it should be since the Service Manual does not say. Starts good cold and restarts good hot runs down the road fine. Water temp gets to 200 deg. Have not put coolant in it yet since the block was pretty nasty from all the years of not changing the coolant. " Still running water and changing it after each short run until it cleans up ." Any info would be great Thanks.

I presume you meant .030 over! Even if millimeters, 30 is a lot. As for the planing of the head and block, be sure your valves still clear the head (there is much about that elsewhere on this site) but milling the head is rarely needed unless it has actual dents or severe dips in it. It's thin and flexible enough to pull down easily when torqued.