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Does anyone know if a modern replacement with slight modification can be used in the restoration of these engines?
Originally they were babbited.
Our late Third Series SIX...one of the rod babbits disintegrated, and I find that another bearing is worn thin.
I know that the 1937 Super Eight can use a Mopar slant six bearing, so I wondered if any modern adaptation has been discovered for the Third Series Six.

I await your responses to our problem...

Bob and Gail

Dear bujak:

Finally someone else out there who knows about those slant six main bearings fitting Packard rods. I even knew people who used epoxy to hold them in place and drove 20,000 miles.

Unfortunately, according to Packard, insert bearing rod conversion was not an authorized update for 6th series and earlier cars. They said that the seventh series and later crankshafts used a hardening process.

So I would stick with Babbitt bearings. Especially if the crankshaft is staying in the car.

I fully agree with Tim, stick with babbitt; assuming a good crank and good babbitt work and that you don't flog the engine, you should expect plenty of engine life. One of the best sources for Babbitt work is Paul's Rod & Bearing.