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As the image on my posts show, I am working on a 37 120, however back in the 50's the previous owner had started the transplant of a 53 327 from a Patrician as the 282 was all done in. They had not completed it and the decades have rolled past. Of course the engine mounts are custom and need to fit around the steering box which was tricky. I have had to modify how the rad fits by having it mount in from the front of the rad support, use different rad hoses, slightly tub the firewall and be a bit creative getting the accelerator linkage to play nice with the Carter 4BBL.
I am getting very close and am very happy how it is going. It is fun to have about the 'newest' inline 8 in my car. Thought I would share some shots.

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  Engine as of Oct 2021-1.JPG (190.91 KB)


  Engine complete dr side 1.JPG (283.91 KB)


  Engine complete pass side 1.JPG (232.92 KB)

Now that you have had all the fun figuring it out here is a Packard bulletin someone posted with a few suggestions on installing a later engine in a 39. Even though different years and engines the 37 body is probably similar enough that it might be interesting to know how close you and Packard agreed on the basics of what needed to be done.

I also did a quick search without success because IIRC, there was another article written by someone in Australia on what he did doing a similar swap.

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Install 327engine in 39-1703.pdf Size: 1,050.10 KB; Hits: 82

The post-'37 Junior 8s had a better cooling system than the '35 to '37.

Interesting the use of the side engine mounts rather than putting on the front one from a 1950 or so Packard. It would fit the 327 and gives it the a-frame mount that the car regionally had without having to modify things.

Helo all, Attached are Packard Service letters on fitting 288 engines to 37 120C ( but will suffice for any 282 engine fit). I used these instructions to fit a 288 ( 327 plus 40 thou) to my 1938 Richards Touring. It runs very well with lots of pep. I also fitted an R6 OD as it didn't need the governor and less X frame massage. using Holley 600 carb. I used the 282 front engine mount. It is a bit fiddly but you should get another 60-70 hp out of the old girl.

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  288 Engine Installation in 120C Models pg 1.JPG (188.44 KB)


  288 Engine Installation in 120C Models pg 2.JPG (165.74 KB)


  288 Engine Installation in 120C Models pg 3.JPG (216.06 KB)


  288 Engine Kits for Right Hand Drive pg 1.JPG (242.27 KB)


  288 Engine Kits for Right Hand Drive pg 2.JPG (248.21 KB)


  288 Engine Kits for Right Hand Drive pg 3.JPG (310.95 KB)


  1938 Packard 120 031.jpg (156.93 KB)

So today she started up for the 1st time. A red letter day to anyone working on any car for sure. Lots of tweaking to go but a huge step forward.
Bob J.

Excellent..Time for a short vdeo?

Funny that, so it ran really nice, then coming off high idle, low idle was too low and it stalled. Hit the starter to restart and the solenoid stuck and the starter would not stop. The 1st 70 years is the hardest on the solenoids evidently! Anyway, new one on order so when it comes in I will post a video.
Thanks,
Bob J.

Peter Packard, did you use the installation instructions for the 1601 that pushed the motor and trans back?

I'm restoring my '38, 1601 that had a '49, 288 shoved in it. From what I can tell, whom ever did the modification, followed more of the instructions for the 2001 or 2301, but did not use the engine support frame brackets form the kit, they opted to cut the front frame holes where the original mount went forward the 3/4" (not sure what spacers were used). They cut the radiator cradle and modified the radiator mounting so it could be pushed forward. They also cut the upper and lower radiator splashers 3/4".

The radiator cradle seems to be modified more than what is stated in step 11 of the instructions?

I'd be interested if anyone can provide the "template" that marked off-fender flanges (what are these?) on both sides. The inner fender splashers of mine have been cut and bent, the instructions does not mention that these get modified.

So I have finally driven a Packard. Old hat for most of you but here is my 1st impression. Like they said, ask the man who owns one.

Wow!

I have owned and drove for years a '38 Ford Pick-up, built and driven a Model A. Driven numerous 30's Fords of my Father-in-law's. My 1st car was a '58 Pontiac (remember I am in Canada so mine was a Strato-Chief w/261 6 cyl and 3 spd manual) and none compare.
Mind you, the Packard is not licensed yet so I have only gone a short way. But my street is quite steep and she smoothly pulled up it in 3rd. The shifting was smoother than anything I have ever driven. The clutch action is best described as a glide and there was absolutely no way to chatter the clutch. Engagement in both forward and reverse gives smooth action with no extra gas needed as it has so much torque on that big in-line 8. Backing uphill up the drive into the garage was very easy. There was no gear noise in any gear, whereas I am used to a fairly noticeable whine in 1st and 2nd in the other cars I have driven. I did not go very fast as it is a suburban block, but the brakes acted quickly and smoothly, and downshifting to 2nd at the corner went perfectly too.
Can't wait to get through the red tape to be able to take her for a longer spin. I did forget to watch to see if the speedometer worked while I did the turn around the block, but I see that the odometer has a new reading, that has not changed for the last 60+ years!
In awe,
Bob J.