Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I just want to be clear about the differences in the early 1924 to 1933 engines. I see connecting rods that have a small oil hole about #52 that seem to point towards the cam followers. These are probably the early rods for first series solid style cam followers? Later rods have this hole penned closed. Assuming Packard closed these holes when the cam followers whet to the roller type???

I sincerely doubt that the factory would have peened the holes on the con rods. There is discussion on the change after the Ninth Series of which side the conrod squirt hole is aligned. Have a look at the Factory Service Index. 1922 - 1932, Engine, Connecting Rods, Information, Specifications, Part Numbers, SL Vol.8, No. 22 gives a good rundown on Connecting Rod changes and identification. Heavy reading first thing in the morning. Peter Toet

36 12 has it.

It's to oil the piston skirt

Connecting rods for the Twelves are most unusual and have the "bolts" machined integral with the rod itself. It is a PITA to rotate the crank on a Twelve from underneath to remove pistons etc. I recently changed the big end bush on number Seven connecting rod on my 38 1608 as I selected it as the source of a ticking noise. Very wrong and subsequently discovered that the crank pulley bolt was stripped and a loose crank pulley was the offending noise. Made a new crank pulley bolt with a much more sensible head and locktited after tensioning.
Not a job for the faint hearted that one. The reference Service Letter has many interesting notes on fitting later con rods to earlier engines.