Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Did the Caribbeans use the offset pods?

ebay.com/itm/50s-60s-AC-NOS-Batwing-Air- ... ts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_922

They are ofset.

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With the price he's asking for just the pods, hate to see what he'd want for the wing or the whole thing. Am starting to think my car is worth more in pieces. Maybe it's time for a big dog or a mean cat to move into the garage.

How much more NOS pods are worth over used ones is a good question, assuming you can find used ones. Since they have no moving parts to wear, unless they've been damaged or abused, used ones usually just require cleaning and painting.

The going price 15 years ago for a complete batwing assembly, used and needing perhaps a few dents removed from the center section and cleaning & paint, was about $1200 and I've since seen them at Hershey, painted and with new decals for $1700 or more.

If it weren't for the fact that so many owners of non-Caribbeans want the 2x4 setup, they'd be a glut on the market. Supply & demand, that's all there is to it.

HH & Owen,

And it's only the filter, not the pan it sits in, the way I read the ad!

Was ther any other filter pods that would work with the batwing top?

Joel,
Was the offset design a running change? I will look at the ones I have on a 55, I do not remember them being this way.

Page 102, and it's not an air cleaner, rather an air distribution chamber assembly!

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/partslist5556/09_Fuel.pdf

Though only a single part number is given, I've heard somewhere over the years that the 55s, or perhaps early 55s, used fixed concentric pods and that some clearance issues arose, thus the change to eccentric pods. I do know of one 55 Carib that does not have the eccentric pods though I don't know that the assembly is Packard-original. Never seen anything in writing so it remains unsubstantiated, at least as I understand it.

Another curious item is the emblem, #476001, listed for 1955 Caribs only. I believe the ring was gold, the "V" was silver (chrome-colored) and the shield was silver and red. If someone repro'd it I'd perhaps put one on my 56 Carib, even though it's not authentic. Yes, I know what I just said!

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The picture I posted are of my 1956 pods (and my shoe) and I have never seen any different ones, 1955 or 1956.

It is true there really is a Big Foot.

Quote:Dave,
Twice in a couple of days! This now isn't just an aberration, more like a trend. What next, SBC?

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The "air distribution chamber assembly" listed in Gr. 9.1038, P/N 440991 (note 1 per car), is the "wing" - an air plenum. Note the related hardware (2 per car); that's one set for each carb.

The "emblem" listed in Gr. 9.1039, P/N 467001, is applied to that chamber - though I thought it was merely a decal, and monochromatic at that.

What is commonly referred to as the "pod" is listed in Gr. 9.102 as an "air cleaner assembly", P/N 440992 (note 2 per car). Note the related hardware (2 per car); that's one set for each "pod".

Also, the air cleaner/pod is the same P/N for both years, If there was a running change in design (i.e. - offset) for this one part for the 55-56 Caribbeans, then I'd expect some notation on the Packard engineering drawing.