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

From the model 236 including model 845 the stamping type of camshaft rocker lever (part.no. 158723)was used. At the end of the 8-series they changed to a forging type of camshaft lever (part.no. 194738 and 194739 (left & right)). I have heard that the earlier type was a weak point on the engine, and therefore they turned to an improved forging type. The old type could be changed to the improved type on all these engines. One of mine 1929 engines do also have some repaired camshaft rocker levers. They were repaired through brazing solder, with mixed result. Therefore I have to do something.

Do anyone know somebody who is manufacturing the forging type or who are rebuilding the stamping type?

Odd, I'm not aware of anyone reproducing either the stamped or forged rocker levers, but that's not too surprising to me as used forged ones are quite plentiful and durable. I don't know if they are applicable to your engine because they are later part numbers that the first forged ones for the early engines as given in the service letters, but I've got several sets of used ones used 33-36 Eight and Super Eights and would be willing to sell one set. But I'll leave it to you to first determine if they are interchangeable with the early series of forged replacements. The set(s) I have are marked with the following forging #s:

Left, p/n 234585, forging # 186674-8A
Right, p/n 234584, forging # 186673-12A

Owen, I have made some measurements of my stamped rocker levers. See attached drawing. The rocker levers were still in the housing, and therefore it was not easy to measure the correct arm length. Can you please compare it with your forged type. Please contact me through od-moen@online.no so we can make directly an deal about the forged type you can sell.

Attach file:

---

Size: 233.62 KB; Hits: 66

I'll take a pair out of my housing and try to do some comparative measurements. Will let you know. Don't know if it matters, is your engine a 385 or 320?

Forged type will replace the stamped type. We used to offer the roller/pin/brg to repair them but no longer available

It`s a 385 engine: Super 8. Thank`s for the support.

I'll take a closer look at what I have, perhaps tomorrow, and send you a PM.

I believe Terrill Machine sells the roller repair kit.

And Egge also has the roller and pin kits.

Odd, Ole Book from Sweden gave me an email address for you, hope it works - I'm sending you a photo of what I've got available and best we go from here via email.

PS - missed your email address above and sent it to the address listed in the Nordic Packard Owner's Club. Just resent to your address above.

Attach file:

---

  (327.72 KB)

I changed from stamped to forged rocker arms on my 1929 633 Touring for some month ago. After changing the rollers and pins on the forged type, I measured, more or less by an accident, the center of the shaft to the center of the pin on the both type of rocker arms, L1 and L2 (see sketch). It was a surprise to detect that this measure was app 1mm longer on the forged type (I have forgot the exact figure). I checked lot of rocker arms. A longer rocker arm mean that the valves will open earlier, which will cause a wrong timing! According the tune-up guide for 1929-30 the inlet valve, cyl 1, shall open 20deg before top dead center (see mark on the flywheel). To get the valve opening according to this information, I had to turn the camshaft gear 1 tooth clockwise. The "0" marks on the camshaft and crankshaft gears are now moved with one tooth from each other. The engine run perfect.
I did also change from stamped to forged rocker arms on my 640 Roadster, and I had also there to move the camshaft with one tooth in clockwise direction.
I have looked into the Service Letters but I haven`t found any information about this topic.

Has anybody else had this experience, or are some cars running with wrong timing?

Attach file:

---

  (53.04 KB)