Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Almost seven years ago, we were shredding a core  352" Packard V8.   I noticed there were seven OEM pistons and one forged TRW piston.  We discussed how/why, since this was a standard bore block,  a single forging would be mixed in there.  Just because, I saved the forged piston.

Today, we were shredding a core 352" from a '56 Studebaker Golden Hawk.  In it were seven forged pistons and one OEM piston.  Now, we have a set of eight TRW standard bore forged pistons. The guys at Kanter have never seen any, I've never seen any others.

Wouldn't we all love to know the back story on how/where this all took place?

jack vines

That is a cool find! I wonder if it was a case of damage to a specific piston, something got in through a sparkplug change or whatever and took the top out of a piston. Weirder on the single OEM mixed in, tougher to figure a case for that, it is not like they were ever an expensive item so saving just one really makes no sense. If they could talk eh!
Bob J.

What would be even more interesting is if it turned out both engines could be traced to the same shop at about the same time and the same hung over mechanic happened to be the engine guy. Another possibility is it was not a mechanic but a hung over stock picker in a parts warehouse and the mechanics just used what was shipped thinking there was a supply reason for the disparity.

Just out of curiosity are the weights between the two types comparable enough that no running issues would be noticed?

Did the Golden Hawk engines have a blower? If so, forged pistons may have been standard issue.

The blower Golden Hawk engines, as far as I know, were Studebaker 289s.

Thanks, Jack. Even without explanation, both stories have their appeal. I would have loved to see the look on your face when you identified the OEM piston in the Studebaker.
Imagine what a brilliant ending Quentin Tarantino would give to both storylines?! In the end, everyone within a two-mile radius would be dead.

Was the one off piston in the same hole(cyl #), on both blocks ?
Maybe someone was testing a theory?, or someone was assembling on Friday morning, after Thurs night bowling league.

Been too long since the first instance, so no recollection as to which hole. We didn't consider it might have come from a set, as back in the day, one could buy a single piston. We did wonder why he chose to buy the less common and more expensive forging.

And yes, the weights are different. Since the Golden Hawk 352" was running with seven lighter-than-OEM pistons and hadn't been rebalanced, it should have had a noticeable resonant vibration.

jack vines