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

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Might you still have one available?

Yes, I do and they can be found on my site in the Classified Ads. Note, however, that I cannot ship immediately as I live hundreds of miles away from shop so shipping will happen when I’m next there. Again, I don’t know if these will fit a 22nd or 23rd series car.

Is the 327 prone to overheating in climates with higher temperatures?

Did I read somewhere that there was a more robust cooling system available as factory option for cars in hotter climates, such as CA? If so, what years/models was that available for.

My 53 Cavalier's cooling system is completely stock and the needle sits in the middle of the gauge, or just a little above or below depending on the ambient temperature. I do live on the Canadian prairies, so my car doesn't often experience high temps or hilly roads.

Have my 54 in both Calif and also Illinois my car sits near just left of the M in the T E M P. If it's really hot outside, and I'm sitting and not moving, it may nudge up to the M.

For me the biggest heat item was the transmission and the auxiliary cooler I added solved that issue.

That sounds about the same as my '53.

Was your transmission getting hot and acting up? Shouldn't the transmission remain fairly close to the coolant temperature, unless it's working harder than normal? Like if you're pulling a trailer, or driving hilly roads?

My transmission has been due for a rebuild for 20 years.

It slips and get hot, which makes it slip more and get hotter. The cooler keeps the slipping/heat at stage 1 vs stage 5. As such it also isn't added that extra heat back to the engine coolant.

20 years!?!?!? I would say you've put rebuilding your transmission off long enough! You need to pull your transmission and get 'er rebuilt. Make sure you take LOTS of pictures, and post a video to YouTube as well because I want to rebuild mine too!

I hadn't thought about the transmission being another potential reason for your engine running hot. A good reminder of how important it is to have ALL systems operating correctly.

There were 20” fans available which were the same as used in factory A/C cars. I imagine one of those would help.

For what its worth,
I chased engine temp issues quite a bit this summer and at one point did highly suspect the trans temp causing my issue.
A heat/temp gun became my best friend.
Thru careful observation, and lots of testing, i discovered a low flow issue with the radiator.
(Old shop rag in your cooling system is NOT good)
Idling was fine, never got above 180* at outlet on cylinder head.
Road driving was another story. Hit 210* more than once. Long grade hills were the worst.
Radiator is currently at the shop getting a new core.
Water pump has been replaced, new 160* T-stat.
Once i get it back, i am going to reinstall, double check the ignition timing and keep the heat/temp gun handy...just in case.

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If you do decide to film a video be sure to let Ross and I know so we can give you some pointers/advice. I have an entire series of footage shot for a Twin Ultra (still working on editing it all 🥱) but have no plans for a series on the original type due to its relative simplicity, much better service documentation, and relative lack of stupid stuff that breaks.

Also, I have an original set of the bearing pressing tools etc. that you are welcome to borrow if you are doing a video. I mean, you can borrow them regardless, but it's probably more effective to just buy/make something locally; it would just be nice to demonstrate them in a video that everyone will see.