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Topic: Frame swap under '49 Custom 8?

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humanpotatohybrid

Re: Frame swap under '49 Custom 8?

#21

Home away from home

Quote:

Tristar500 wrote:
I'm leaning toward swapping out the front suspension with a crown vic unit and keeping the Packard frame. It would made sense to swap out the rear as well to get disk brakes and wheels would all have the same bold pattern.

Again I simply do not see any convincing reason to do this. Not much difference in braking effectiveness, it might be difficult getting the steering gear to line up with the steering shaft, and the spring load and rate won't match so the car won't handle or take bumps like it was originally designed.

Posted on: 9/8 21:18

53 Cavalier

Re: Frame swap under '49 Custom 8?

#22

Home away from home

Quote:

Tristar500 wrote:
My '49 has the overdrive. I don't know if or how it works but It's there.

So then with the overdrive you're thinking of keeping this car are restoring it back to original?

I don't own a 22nd series car, so I can't speak from personal experience, but as far as I know they are a nice car to drive. Maybe others that have owned different series Packards can share their thoughts on the pros and cons of a 22nd series compared to other series.

It would seem to me that rebuilding your '49 wouldn't be any more expensive than swapping the driveline, maybe less time, and you would end up with a more valuable car. No reason that your '49 won't be a reliable, driveable car.

Or, if you don't want a project, sell this '49 and buy another car that is in better condition that you can just maintian and drive...............they're out there! Find someone that needs to find a new home for their baby that they have cared for for the past 20 years, and you can get great value for your money.

Have we convinced you yet???

Posted on: 9/8 21:42

53 Cavalier

Re: Frame swap under '49 Custom 8?

#23

Home away from home

Quote:

humanpotatohybrid wrote:
Quote:

Tristar500 wrote:
I'm leaning toward swapping out the front suspension with a crown vic unit and keeping the Packard frame. It would made sense to swap out the rear as well to get disk brakes and wheels would all have the same bold pattern.

Again I simply do not see any convincing reason to do this. Not much difference in braking effectiveness, it might be difficult getting the steering gear to line up with the steering shaft, and the spring load and rate won't match so the car won't handle or take bumps like it was originally designed.

I agree 100%! Best to keep our cars the way Packard built them!

If we keep chipping away at Tristar500 we'll convince him eventually! We can't all be wrong..........can we!?!?!?

Posted on: 9/8 21:47

53 Cavalier

Re: Frame swap under '49 Custom 8?

#24

Home away from home

Tristar500

Here's a nice 48 & 49 if you wanted to upgrade and have a nice original car. These belong to our club president.

kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/calgary/1948-packard-super-eight/1698692198

kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/calgary/1949-pa ... -eight-7-passenger-sedan/1701674689

Posted on: 9/11 21:17

Kevin

Re: Frame swap under '49 Custom 8?

#25

Home away from home

Quote:

humanpotatohybrid wrote:
Quote:

Tristar500 wrote:
I'm leaning toward swapping out the front suspension with a crown vic unit and keeping the Packard frame. It would made sense to swap out the rear as well to get disk brakes and wheels would all have the same bold pattern.

Again I simply do not see any convincing reason to do this. Not much difference in braking effectiveness, it might be difficult getting the steering gear to line up with the steering shaft, and the spring load and rate won't match so the car won't handle or take bumps like it was originally designed.

I'm with you, HPH. When this whole proposal is framed with the phrase "Too much time and money to keep it original," yet the OP is implying that he has plenty of time and money to mess around and try to formulate a way make a modern chassis fit an old body. I'm not sure how that computes. The necessary parts are out there for the repairs and restoration. These Customs were perhaps the easiest-steering of any non-power steering Packard ever built. The brakes are more than adequate for the car. They are wonderful tour cars for both driving and riding. Why would anyone want to lose all that?

Posted on: 9/11 23:11

humanpotatohybrid

Re: Frame swap under '49 Custom 8?

#26

Home away from home

Here, I saved you 5 grand and 300 hours of time:

facebook.com/share/bK4v12mcfCPhB9sG/

Posted on: 9/20 10:44

Tristar500

Re: Frame swap under '49 Custom 8?

#27

Quite a regular

So, now I'm rethinking.
I need to find a source for wheel bearings and brake drums. (I'm missing a brake drum and wheel bearings from one side of the car)

Posted on: 10/10 13:28

He who is without oil shall throw the first rod
Compressions 8.7:1

'49 Custom Eight

53 Cavalier

Re: Frame swap under '49 Custom 8?

#28

Home away from home

Max Merritt lists both wheel bearings and brake drums for your car.
packardparts.com/catalogs/

Posted on: 10/10 13:49

Packard Don

Re: Frame swap under '49 Custom 8?

#29

Home away from home

Maybe a better price for the drum from Gerry at Packards Southwest (packardssouthwest@gmail.com)

Posted on: 10/10 15:10

All generalities are false.

Don Pierson
Packard / IMPERIAL page
CA DMV Licensed Vehicle VIN Verification

1951 Henney-Packard 3-Door Long Wheelbase Air Force Ambulance
1954 Packard Patrician
1954 Packard Patrician Parts Car
1956 Clipper Custom Sedan

53 Cavalier

Re: Frame swap under '49 Custom 8?

#30

Home away from home

Depending on what all you need, and how much space you have, you might want to consider picking up a parts car. I ended up buying one, just because it came with a good used windshield, but I have salvaged all sorts of bits and pieces off of it. It has saved me far more than the $500 it cost me.

Posted on: 10/10 16:19

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