Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Hi All ---
Apologies if this has been discussed before. . . .

On the Twelve engine of the mid-to-late 1930's, the cylinder heads were aluminum, so I understand. At least the car I am interested in has aluminum heads.

My question is, are all these aluminum heads just a time bomb waiting to go off? Will a blown head gasket be inevitable? Will replacement heads be a necessity in time?

Or is it possible that they could likely be just fine?

This question is partly motivated by my experience with the 1938 Super Eight engine. In that case, it's a good bet that if the block is good today, it will be bad tomorrow.

Thanks, guys
--- Luke

I'd bet that the vast majority of Twelves that are out and running regularly and that have aluminum cylinder heads have newer reproduction heads which have been available from one source or another for a good many years. I also wouldn't be too surprised to learn that there are also a few still with original heads which have probably had a few repairs done to them over the years. But by today's standards the aluminum alloys used in the 30s were pretty unsophisticated and expectations of much further longevity from such heads just isn't in their DNA.

Do you actually think the heads on the car you are looking at are original and not reproduction? Could well be originals if the car is a museum piece and/or has been off the road for years. And if originals, I wouldn't give them a great chance for much future happy motoring.

In the early 1960s my father was overhauling a V-12 for a customer. The engine had aluminum heads that were no longer serviceable. The customer located another Packard Twelve in the area that was being used to power a saw. The engine had cast iron heads. He bought the whole kit just for the iron heads. Thanks for letting me share.