installing a small block?
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I currently bought a 1952 200 deluxe from a salvage yard in hopes to bring it back to life. The original engine is still in it but I am curious as to if it is possible to install a small block 302 without making any drastic changes to the body or frame. The reason for doing so is i'm still in high school; about to graduate; with not a whole lot of cash to work with to rebuild the current straight 8. I still would like to return the car to its original state once I get enough saved up. If anyone can offer a helping hand it would be greatly appreciated.
- Garrett See the car atyoutube.com/watch?v=UQ_N_4wT8kA
Posted on: 2011/4/15 12:18
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Garrett
1952 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan " If you don't go when you want to go, when you do go, you'll find you've gone"- Burt Munro |
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Re: installing a small block?
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In addition to what Howard said, a 302CID SBC is probably too small to lug around a Packard. A good 350CID or better yet a 400CID SBC would be a much better choice. All the issues associated with the swap are still the same.
Unless you are a skilled fabricator (being in HS, probably not), it will most likely be more $$ to swap than to just fix the Packard S8, even if someone gave you a good 302 SBC. JMHO, Craig
Posted on: 2011/4/15 13:51
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Nuke them from orbit, it's the only way to be sure! Ellen Ripley "Aliens"
Time flies like an arrow. Frui |
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Re: installing a small block?
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Easiest and cheapest plan would be to get the old girl running. Right now there are a couple of active threads by guys who have recently done just that. It is not too hard if you know what you are doing, if you do not know STOP do not go tearing everything apart, do not change anything if you can help it, inspect and diagnose first.
Next easiest and cheapest would be to rebuild your old engine. Parts are available, not too expensive, and a flathead straight eight is a fairly simple motor to work on. If the rod is sticking out of the block 3d easiest and cheapest is to install another Packard engine. On this board, a couple of days ago, one member was offering a motor like yours, in good shape, for $300 bucks. Last choice is to install some other make of motor. This is the hardest, and most expensive choice. For some reason newbies think it is easier to replace an engine with one that does not fit, than it is to fix the old engine. This is incorrect but it takes a few years experience to understand why.
Posted on: 2011/4/15 18:24
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Re: installing a small block?
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Others have reported good success by soaking the insides of the motor with penetrating oil for a week or 2, then turning it over by hand, then hooking up the starter and ignition and getting it going. There are other details to it. If you want more specific instructions just ask.
In any case, please don't go tearing things apart until you know what you are doing. They are too easy to take apart and too hard to put together lol. Many neat old cars have wound up in the junk yard that way.
Posted on: 2011/4/15 18:28
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Re: installing a small block?
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We broke a tractor motor loose that had been siezed for YEARS with penetrating oil and working it and then dragging it behind another tractor and popping the clutch.
Don't do that, i can't believe we didn't break the rings. Did run good for years til we sold it though. No matter what's wrong, the cheapest thing to do is fix it, or insure it and burn it down. Don't do that either. We'll help you though. Fix it that is, not the burning down part. If you do burn it down, i need some parts first
Posted on: 2011/4/15 19:04
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Re: installing a small block?
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Hi Garret, and welcome. Glad you are saving that car. I bought my first Packard at 14--and still have it uh, some years later.
Anyway, those 200s are great driving cars and you can have a lot of fun and good service with it. It may really be much easier to make it run than you think. My own current 200 driver was a $500 junkyard beauty and was coughing and snorting to life about 2 hours after I got it home. As several folks have mentioned, I agree you will be bucks ahead and sooner driving if you stick with the Packard engine. Plus, it is infinitely cooler. I'm sure none of your friend are running engines with 3 foot-long cylinder heads. Stick or automatic? Post a few photos.
Posted on: 2011/4/15 20:10
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Re: installing a small block?
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Great to see a high-schooler that's interested in (real) cars! Welcome!
As to the SBF 302, your instinct that it's a cheap and easy motor to work with are correct...if you own a Ford. In this case, I agree with the above posts insofar as the buy-in for the 302 might seem cheap but I really think it's going to be a wallet-buster in the final analysis. If I were you, I'd do what you can with the motor you have. Trying to work it loose yourself could be great fun and a fantastic learning experience. I, however, would ask around and try to find a machine shop that knows their way around a flat head Packard and then offer to sweep their floors, clean their bathrooms and get them lunch in exchange for the needed engine work. You'll get a brand "new" engine, some work experience and maybe even a job or career out of the deal. And, hey, it beats the hell out of working at McDonalds. Good luck! and send pictures...we're nosy around here.
Posted on: 2011/4/15 23:22
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Re: installing a small block?
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G'day Garrett/GearRat52,
Was thinking your Forum name was an anagram of your first name, but see it's close but not quite! to PackardInfo, always good to have new members on board. And I invite you to include your '52 200 Deluxe in the Packard Owners Registry.
Posted on: 2011/4/15 23:34
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Mal
/o[]o\ ==== Bowral, Southern Highlands of NSW, Australia "Out of chaos comes order" - Nietzsche. 1938 Eight Touring Sedan - SOLD 1941 One-Twenty Club Coupe - SOLD 1948 Super Eight Limo, chassis RHD - SOLD 1950 Eight Touring Sedan - SOLD What's this? Put your Packard in the Packard Vehicle Registry! Here's how! Any questions - PM or email me at ozstatman@gmail.com |
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Re: installing a small block?
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Thank you all for your immediate responses. I was worried that parts would be extremely hard to come by, and over the phone quotes for machining and parts were in the area of $2000 or more. That's why I was I entertaining the 302 idea, because I knew parts would be inexpensive and plentiful. But, now I will definitely try to get the ol' thunderbolt going. It's a complete car why change it now? And it truly is an awesome engine. One question I have is how can you tell if it is an automatic or standard tranny? I have a clutch pedal but no floor shifter. And do you know where I can get a distributor? That is the one thing I know i'm missing.
Posted on: 2011/4/15 23:53
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Garrett
1952 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan " If you don't go when you want to go, when you do go, you'll find you've gone"- Burt Munro |
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