Packard Forum Index » Modification Discussion

I have been lurking on this forum for quite some time now. I don't really feel like I belong here. 17 years ago, I traded for a 1952 300 sedan without an engine and with the transmission in the trunk in pieces. I knew where there was a hearse laying on it's side, so I planned on using it for parts. But someone beat me to the hearse. I looked around for quite sometime for a correct engine and trans and couldn't find one. So at that time I started thinking about a modern engine and transmission. I really get tired of seeing Chevy engines in every car, but when it came down to it, it was the only engine that would fit without cutting things up. So I did the swap. I made motor mounts that sit on the original Packard front mount pads, and bolted a plate to the original trans cross member to adapt the turbo 400 trans mount. I even painted the engine Packard gray. It has a single exhaust exiting in the original location. All the chrome was replated, all stainless removed and polished. New interior and carpet were installed, matching the original as closely as possible. We have worn out two sets of biased ply wide whitewalls, and now have Diamondback radial wide whites, and love them. I always had it in the back of my mind to someday install an original type engine and trans, but I really don't think that will happen. This is our long distance travel car. My wife takes it on 300 mile trips by herself.
I have read comments on the forum about how an engine swap somehow makes my car not a Packard anymore, and other comments of that type. I guess my question is, if I attend a Packard meet somewhere will my car and I be stoned and escorted off the premises, or will we be allowed to enjoy the company of other Packard enthusiasts? Thanks, Wayne

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May the Packard Gods have mercy on your soul!!!
A CHEVY motor in a PACKARD!!!!



What is this world coming to???



My God man, put a Packard V8 in it, at least!!

Now, after I got that off my chest, your car looks great!!! (from the outside, that is! )

Hi Wayne

You have a beautifull useable car there! Dont know about the Packard meets as we dont have them here in Africa hahaha! As far as I am concerned you will be most welcome at any meet with a car as beautifull as yours.

Enjoy it!

Wayne!!!
U belong here just as much as any of the rest of us belong here. I would be proud to own a car just like yours. At one time 10 years ago i had considered an SBC for my 56 Executive. Depending on various conditions i might still install an SBC, in just about anything.

Welcome abord.

Africaner Packard.

Tell us about motoring in Africa. What are the roads like??? Does Africa have Super hiways or any long stretches of road where u can drive 70-80 mph for 15 or 20 miles ata time???

Forgive my questioning. Please understand that the only thing most Americans know about Africa is what we have seen on the tele shows like Tarzan, and news clips of rioting jungle tribes and things like that.

Lara Logan NBC news correspondent is from S. Africa. She is most pretty.

I think we need to compile a list of cars that have NOT had a small block Chevy installed in them. This would be shorter and easier than compling a list of what HAS had a SBC installed.

I guess my question is, if I attend a Packard meet somewhere will my car and I be stoned and escorted off the premises, or will we be allowed to enjoy the company of other Packard enthusiasts?

Perhaps I missed it but I didn't see an on-point response to your question, which I'm assuming you really wanted. So let me speculate. If you join a national Packard club and a local region, of course you'll be allowed to attend events. You probably shouldn't even think about entering judging events. And you won't be stoned, and to the extent that you put forward the effort of course you'll be able to make friends in the Packard world. Yet as you move up the ladder from little local events to regional events to national events you'll find less and less people interested in your car as the emphasis becomes more on authenticity and condition. My own observations over the years have been that it's a rare event indeed that a Packard with a non-Packard powerplant shows up at events, much less draws too much attention. But it is what it is, and if you're the amicable and outgoing type, you'll make friends. And maybe (hopefully) the end result of some years of that is that you'll attempt to return your car to a more correct condition.

Hope you find this helpful.

Wayne:

What chevy small block did u use???? I'm interested in what kind of gas mileage it has. Why the TH400???? An overdrive trans 700R4 or 200 would probably improve mileage along with pre-computer factory e-ignition. Does it have airconditioning???

Wayne,

Most Auto clubs have a Modified class in which all cars that have been modified with either engine or body mods are entered. I imagine that a large packard meet would have this, but some of the smaller shows will not.

I'd be proud to park ANY classic I own next to your car at a show! Nobody has to know what engine your car has. Thats why they have hoods. I'd rather see a Packard driven 1000 miles per year with a Chevy engine than a Packard driven 1000 miles over 30 years all on & off of a trailer.

where i live, and i dont know about anyone else here, but any packard that shows up at a car show draws an appreciative crowd. there just arent thhat many around here. the few that are usually dont run, so one that moves is a pretty big thing.