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I honestly don't think much more can be achieved via lift, however the duration on this cam is hilariously short. I slowly getting the the point where I think having a professional modify my cam might be a really good idea.

The major engine components are crated and ready to go. This crate was originally designed to ship forged cranks from India to Detroit Diesel (oddly appropriate). Everything will get strapped down and I can just use a forklift to load the whole lot into the pickup for safe, secure transport.

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Work's letting me write about playing with the Packard. Pretty cool!

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/auto-blog/packard-project-car-edmunds-intake-15207720

Ben - looking forward to seeing/hearing the engine run with the 2-2's. For what it's worth, when I was a kid, my Dad would balance a silver dollar on edge while the Packard was idling, not a lousy nickel.

Welp, finally screwed up the courage to go drop of the long block components at the engine builder. Chose D&S Engine Specialists in Clawson, MI. Everybody I know recommends them to me and their equipment can handle the scale. Took one last photo before entrusting it to someone I've never met. It's almost as scary as trusting a surgeon you know? You basically have to accept that the people you're putting your faith in know what they're doing.


Judging by the wild-ass crankshafts and enormous cams I spotted on the racks though, a lot of horsepower and good work does come out of the shop. To start I'm having them boil the components clean, magnaflux the block and do an estimate on the minimum machining to return to spec. I have no interest in crazy overbores but the guy who took a look expects at least a light bore (there's a noticeable ridge at the top of piston travel). At this time, I'm instructing them to check and grind the valves, but to not replace them with hardened. From every scrap of literature I've read the Packard engines don't need 'em and in any case, for the hard miles I'll just plan on using lead additive anyway. A based-on-nothing comparison on the cost of basic work before parts was $3400, but that's based on a straight six with hardened valve seats.



By the way, here's the way I constructed the base of the crate. Crank position is obvious, but the head goes chamber side down right next to it and the block got mounted right next to that.

Stopped by at Motor City Muscle today for the estimate. It's a whopper at $4400, but that includes a lot.

Here's a rundown: dip in the hot tank and bead blasting, measurement, and inspection, to start. Machining work includes decking the head and block, replacing the 10mm plugs with standard 14mm, boring the block ~.060 over (she was really worn out), grinding the crank and cam, line boring the main bearings, rehabbing the connecting rods, and re-grinding the valves seats. New pistons, valves, valve guides, gaskets, and seals plus they'll deliver it already primed.

Spendy, yes, but it's not like I was planning to eat this month anyway.

Here's a gallery of where things are now (the crank is already out for work):http://imgur.com/a/1xJUL

Make sure they dont take too much off the head unless you are sure that head hasn't been planed before. You dont want to have valve clearance issues.

Far as I know the engine's never been apart, and they're only doing a minor decking to square the surface.

These guys are pros, they do thousand plus horsepower drag engines every day, so I trust they know what they're doing. That's why they were selected.

Truth be told I was more concerned with the rehab on the big-end of the connecting rod. They'll nip a bit off the bearing cap and re-hone. Not anything out of the ordinary, but still a tiny bit scary.

Ben - that seems like a price that's in line with my recent experiences.

That's good to hear. It was just a bit of a shock is all.

I'm also looking at the project in entirety. I need a transmission adapter, transmission, rear end, suspension, roll cage, seats, lexan windows, tires and wheels, fire suppression system, and oh so much more.

It stacks up. I guess this is why I've accepted that this is a multi-year project.