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

im wondering how much difference there is in brake, steering gearing parts between the senior and junior series in 54. i have a 54 convert but it has the big engine. does that mean that everything in the running gear had been upgraded to senior or was there little difference to begin with.


john

'51-53 the only cars (excluding commercial chassis) that had senior mechanicals were the Patrician 400's and the '53 8 pass sedan and limo. In '54 the Pacific hardtop, regular convertible and Caribbean conv also had senior mechanicals.

I have not checked the parts book 100%, but I know engine, front susp, Ujoints, rear axle, brakes are all senior. This was an interim upgrade until the V8's were introduced.

An easy way to get a feel for the differences between the 54 Seniors and Juniors is to browse the table of specifications for each chassis which is listed in the 1954 Service Counselor, Vol 28, #4. I'm sure it's available online here. It's about 13 pages of detailed specifications and the differences between between the models will be apparent.

Owen -

I'm surprised you don't know that PackardInfo's collection of Service Counselors and Service Technical Bulletins (as well as some Studebaker Service Bulletins and Service Letters) are neatly indexed back through 1948 in the site's Packard Service Index. Woking my way back throught earlier years, and installment for 41-47 Clippers is coming up next.

While the factory published those specfications, annually, for most years, they were sometimes issued ahead of the calendar year that, numerically, matches the model year - due to the timing of new model showing at dealers (typcially in the late fall). That can be confusing since the factory's annual index to this material was typically compiled by calendar year, but we have overcome that problem, with this online Service Index

The viewer need only click on the applicable Index (grouped by closely related Series) and, then, the SPECIFICATIONS categories. Look for the topic "Mechanical Specifications and Adjustments" for the specific Series and follow the link to the document (best to right-click and save).

Wasn't the 300 or Cavalier model a senior car with the same underpinnings as the 400 or Patrician?

Owen - I'm surprised you don't know that PackardInfo's collection of Service Counselors and Service Technical Bulletins (as well as some Studebaker Service Bulletins and Service Letters) are neatly indexed back through 1948

BH - I did know they are there, it's just that I have a preference for hardcopy and usually just go to my bookshelf instead. A sign of my age, I suppose. You guys that put all that time into collecting and organizing that information deserve our profuse thanks!

Wasn't the 300 or Cavalier model a senior car with the same underpinnings as the 400 or Patrician?

Curious car, the 54 Cavalier. It's a Packard by brand name, not a Clipper, and hence a "senior" car, but it has the 327-5 main bearing engine Clipper engine; "junior" brakes (208 vs. 292 sq. inches of area), and suspension etc. are more junior car than senior car. Externally it's nearly a Patrician with the obvious exception of the lower rear door trim.

One point of correction on the Motor. While the '54 Cavalier did have a 327, it was not the 327 that came in the Clippers. The Deluxe and Super Clippers have the M3XXXXX motor which was a 327, 5-Bearing Solid lifters (165 HP) and the Cavalier had the M4XXXX motor which was 327, 5-Bearing Hydraulic Lifters (185hp).

Right on the lifter difference on the Cavaliers. My Grandad's 53 Cavalier had hydraulic lifters.

Quote:

The Cavaliers also came with a four barrel carburetor, like the Patrician while the Clippers with the 327 engine had a two barrel carburetor. The four barrel carburetor was worth 20 more horse power over the Clipper's 165.

(o{I}o)