Packard Forum Index » Modification Discussion

John, this sounds like a fasinating project - but if it were me I'd just buy a Honda... LOL

I am not sure how much you would win from a longer stroke engine. Yes, they produce more torque at lower revs but that doesn't mean they use less fuel - in fact given that you have increased the capacity of the cylinder they should use more fuel. I guess it would depend on how you drove it. I would have though that effort spent on valve sizes, cam profile, head and manifolds would produce better results. Or you could run it on propane...

I think best investment for dollar per mpg is a nice overdrive tranny...3 speed on the cheap, or a 5 or 6 speed if you wanted to really spend a couple extra bucks.

With the ultramatic, it really seems like you have to floor it to get moving, then it cruises great at 50-55, then on the highway i wish i had another gear. 2/3rds of the time (and about 90% of my mileage) i feel i'm wasting fuel by not having the right gear setups.

I would think a 700r4 would be great ratios for a Packard straight eight.

Plenty of universal 4 and 2bbl propane adapter kits out there! If only the filling stations were as common as other places...

Dear cortcomp:

As stated elsewhere around here, I knew an old timer who managed to collect enough NOS parts to build a brand new 359. He also put an OD stick shift behind it.

The performance was very impressive and I don't think it would have any trouble taking on the equivalent Chrylser Hemi.

That car was brawny.