Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

From original post :
"... bubbling of air escaping at random studs at the threaded end as far back as #6 cylinder was observed."

And recently:
"The inescapable conclusion I continue to reach is that there's a crack that has thus far defied finding."


Then there would have to be NUMEROUS such cracks??????

Cracks or no cracks, water should not come up around the head bolts or studs in the amount described. Since no water is getting into the cylinders it is most likely coming around the stud threads in the block.

What's really strange tho is that this problem came on with no recent changes to an here-to-fore good running engine.

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When you're dealing with 50+ year old iron, nothing's strange. Picture this scenario: You have an engine that's been nothing but good for several decades, then you rebuild it. Now, it's been through thousands of hot/cold cycles, and the iron in the block has expanded and contracted those thousands of times. If there was a thin area in the block somewhere, that was made even thinner by boring/valve job/etc, it's entirely possible for it to crack. The stud holes leaking makes me lean more toward a head problem, like cracks in the bolt holes, places where you can't magnaflux. But here's my true gut feeling on the situation: Your deck is bowed. Either in or out, but the block deck surface is bowed. Probably right down the middle of the block. How did it get bowed? Probably all those heat cycles. If that's not what it is, I'm at a loss, but I'm 99% sure it has nothing to do with the head at all.

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That was my thinking, hence the straight edge check.

NO water in the cylinders so i would not expect a bowed block nor head. Worth checking for tho. I wonder if it has the Aluminium head.

Thanks guys, I don't disagree that you've identified a strong possibility. Let's see if the owner will decide to have the block deck checked.

No, it doesn't have an aluminum head, they were for the 359 engine and the Cavalier, though a Packard and not a Clipper, has the 327.