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Topic: 1954 Packard conv. with 327 engine

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Packard0

1954 Packard conv. with 327 engine

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Found a completely restored 54 Packard conv. for sale that has had the 359 removed and replaced by a 327 by original owner. Said it was done for reliability purposes.

The car is really nice but how much does that incorrect engine hurt it's value?

Posted on: 2011/6/7 0:20

fred kanter

Re: 1954 Packard conv. with 327 engine

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Are you sure it doesn't just have a 327 head? The 359 aluminum head was notoriously troublesome and many had an iron 327 head installed. What is the engine #, left side of block just below head gskt, starts with a letter then 6 digits.

Posted on: 2011/6/7 5:22

Packard0

Re: 1954 Packard conv. with 327 engine

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A good thought Fred and I had thought of that but the owner seem to know to know it was a 327. But I will have him give me the engine # to be sure. I'll let you know what the # is.

Posted on: 2011/6/7 7:48

Owen_Dyneto

Re: 1954 Packard conv. with 327 engine

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In my view replacing the 359 engine should be a very major detriment to value as that engine was a keynote feature of the 1954 senior cars. 1954 was the only year between 1951 and 1954 that the convertible was a top-line model. And the statement that it was replaced because of "reliability" deserves some scrutiny as well because, aside from the easily swapped aluminum head, the reliability of the two would be pretty much identical.

Posted on: 2011/6/7 8:09

Packard0

Re: 1954 Packard conv. with 327 engine

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The owner said from what he could read the engine # appears to read:

j353343

Definitely not a 359, right? Isn't J from 51 or 52 engines?

Posted on: 2011/6/8 8:44

Mike

Re: 1954 Packard conv. with 327 engine

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54 359 would be a 4 bbl right?

51 327 could/would be a 2bbl? Did he at least leave the 4 bbl setup on?

J is 51, but the serial number reference on the site here doesn't show that something starting with J3 falls into the 51, maybe a number misread?

Posted on: 2011/6/8 8:47

Owen_Dyneto

Re: 1954 Packard conv. with 327 engine

Forum Ambassador

Yes, a 359 would be a 4-bbl.
Yes, a 1951 327 would be a 2-bbl.
No "J" prefixed motor number was in the 3XX,XXX series.

Posted on: 2011/6/8 9:30

fred kanter

Re: 1954 Packard conv. with 327 engine

Home away from home

In 51 the engine numbers were in the following series

J2XXXXX 288"
J4xxxxx 327 5 main
J6XXXXX 327 9 main

The number you got J3XXXXX could be a misread of a J6XXXXX.

Regardless, it's the incorrect year and cubic inch engine

Posted on: 2011/6/9 10:01