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

It appears this engine is a 5-main hydraulic lifter 327"

I checked and Packard was never in the K-B piston line and hasn't been in the Silvolite book for at least twenty years.

Still wonder what changed, besides the compression ratio, to raise the '54 horsepower rating by 25hp and 400 RPMs. Has anyone seen any different camshaft specs? If not the increase could have been just advertising copywriting.

thnx, jack vines

I would say you'd have to call KB and ask if they can make a piston for you. As long as they have a mold of a similar diameter they can make any piston. All they need to do is adjust the pin height.

FWIW, I know John Erb, who just retired as chief engineer at K-B and he is an old time Studebaker guy. He and I had several conversations about Studebaker and Packard V8 pistons. Even an order for a thousand sets won't get their attention. They are a volume manufacturer, not interested in custom work.

thnx, jack vines

Don't know about the pistons from Egge, but I've bought at least 15 sets from Terrill Machine. They are fine, and have the expansion controlling steel struts cast in. They have all worked just dandy, and the folks at Terril are great to deal with.

There are only 3 cams listed to fit the 51-54 engines; the solid lifter, the hydraulic lifter, and the 359 hydraulic lifter. Someone told me the 359 cam was machined in a few extra spots so the rods wouldn't hit it with the longer stroke.

I think the power increase at higher RPM was due to a bit better flow in the 4bbl manifold, and a little extra space in the head over top of the intake valve to help it flow into the cylinder.

Interestingly, although the manifolds all interchange 51-54, the 288, 327, and 359 all had different inside diameters in the runners. I put a 359 4bbl mainfold on a ported and relieved 288 but found it prone to bogging in normal driving because of inadequate velocity in those long runners.

Guy here in our Packard club who also has a 2 cylinder 1912 Maxwell had aluminium pistons made for it by Arias in lieu of the original cast iron pistons. Don't know about cost, but here's a link to their Site.
ariaspistons.com/custompistons.html

Thanks for the info. I've never used Egge's I8 pistons, nor Terrill's, so can't comment on the quality. However, I'm betting Terrill's come from Egge. AFAIK, Terrill doesn't have the facilities to make pistons.

I know Nick Arias, Sr. and his company makes some of the best pistons in the known world and are not afraid to tackle any custom challenge. However, they charge concomitantly.

thnx, jack vines

Regarding Kevin's engine: Packard equipped the 26th series 2611 Clipper and the 54th series 5401-5411 Clippers with their 327 cu. in., 5-main bearing, solid lifter engines. I will correct my engine specification table to reflect this new found information. Not all 327 engines had hydraulic valve liftes. Thanks Kevin and Clipper47.