• From: Van Nuys, CA
  • Registered: 2011-02-11
  • Posts: 3,862

Topic: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

So I was browsing around Craigslist as I am wont to do on a hot and lazy Sunday afternoon, having had enough beers to make Netflix interesting but not so many that I couldn't operate heavy machinery. That is when I spotted this ad in the For Sale Free section:

http://i.imgur.com/CYiN2sq.jpg

So with the enthusiastic encouragement of 2 different Facebook Lemons groups, I am super stoked and ready to make the 45 minute drive as soon as the email comes back with the address. The dangers of owning a flat bed trailer and truck are well known, but the danger of having a pick up and an engine hoist are not far off (just easier to hide).

Now I have this (according to some internet automotive journalist Murilee Martin http://jalopnik.com/380781/engine-of-th … ine-eight) 1000lb, 135hp, 288ci Packard straight 8 and I need to decide what to do with it. I did not get an intake, exhaust water pump or transmission, but I did get the manual flywheel, and the distributor. not sure if it is seized from sitting or not yet. Serial number translates to 1949 Packard Deluxe or Super 8

http://i.imgur.com/vfOMvVx.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/KFQTwWu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fbTPXfq.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/RxlZtzH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/z3dqmMs.jpg

So now what to do? I don't have room or money for a build right now. I think I will either have to clean it up, free it from it's rust and hantavirus, and sell it to a Packard man, or trade it in exchange for seat time to a Lemons team for an ill advised engine swap. Spank?

Of course it really needs to be set up like this (with or without the supercharger)

http://images50.fotki.com/v395/photos/9/9586/6324536/8WheelerFarmCarShowMurrayUT447-vi.jpg

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Parkwod60's Website

  • From: Van Nuys, CA
  • Registered: 2011-02-11
  • Posts: 3,862

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

For reference, here is what that hot rod sounds like

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQcqO-BLMV0

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Parkwod60's Website

  • From: Tustin, CA
  • Registered: 2010-12-30
  • Posts: 3,275

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

Spank often emails me with some old car from the pre-hydraulic brake era that he wants to race or some 1/2 ton flathead engine like this that he wants me to put in the Imp so yeah Spank, stick this up your Prius.

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  • From: Seattle, WA
  • Registered: 2009-10-28
  • Posts: 2,111

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

Parkwod60 wrote:

So now what to do?

The standard solution at this point is to ask the man who owns one, but it appears you're already there.

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  • From: Victoria, BC
  • Registered: 2012-06-18
  • Posts: 442

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

Clearly, that needs to be in an E30.

I'm sure the suspension can carry it - "Ultimate Nosediving Machine"

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  • Spank
  • Utter Madman
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  • From: Escondido, CA
  • Registered: 2009-06-10
  • Posts: 5,863

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

I'm willing to entertain this. But I will only be part of a TEAM of people to work with it and not a "here's the motor, YOU figure it out".

Since it'll need a long hood, maybe THIS?
http://forums.24hoursoflemons.com/viewt … p?id=30208

or this
http://forums.24hoursoflemons.com/viewt … p?id=29680

Or Mid engine this

http://forums.24hoursoflemons.com/viewt … p?id=30952

Oooh! Or Maybe the K Car!


I vote for something already caged.

Since the Limo and Corvette are already a body-on-frame design, they would be the easiest way to narrow down the choices. The Limo being something designed to carry 1000lbs of passengers further narrows the choices.

Step 1: Find a transmission. Step 2, find a driveshaft that'll go from the trans to the rear axle of the towncar: That'll determine the location of the motor. Hopefully it's behind the hoop. If not, rethink Steps 1&2 until it IS behind the hoop.

Spank's Website

  • From: Seattle, WA
  • Registered: 2009-10-28
  • Posts: 2,111

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

Spank wrote:

I vote for something already caged.

You're now in a position to build the world's first MG Metro 8R2. Or, by keeping the stock drivetrain as well, 12R4.

1982 MG Metro 1300: IOE 2015 Pacific Northworst GP, Longest Distance 2010 Cd'L Box Wine Country Classic
1980 KV Mini 1: Worst of Show and Fright Pig Supremo 2009 Concours d'Lemons
1978 H Special: Second-Round Elimination 2010 Lemons Pinewood Derby at Sears Pointless
1967 SAAB 96: IOE 2012 Pacific Northworst GP, Organizer's Choice 2022 Hell on Wheels California Rally

8 Reply by CPT_Trans_Continental (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2015-08-31 12:00 PM)

  • From: Portlandia
  • Registered: 2014-08-08
  • Posts: 1,035

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

Unless it's air cooled, I'm out. Though we can put it in the front of the red Monza...

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  • From: Van Nuys, CA
  • Registered: 2011-02-11
  • Posts: 3,862

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

It would be nice to start with a caged car, but when I was mulling a straight 8 powered Lemons car (before I had a motor) I was thinking something like this: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/5199584844.html

http://images.craigslist.org/00l0l_szKJIr1UI4_600x450.jpg

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Parkwod60's Website

  • From: San Luis Obispo
  • Registered: 2011-09-02
  • Posts: 1,003

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

This needs a new engine. Since we are going crazy with suggestions. I am pretty sure it wouldn't be that hard to make this a RWD Packard powered Eldorado.

http://www.murileemartin.com/UG/LAF12/1 … 02012.html

  • From: Land Of Subarus, Colorado
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 9,416

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Return-of-the-LeMonItes-Winners-IOE-2.jpg

The Grumpy Cat Racing team really wants to put a straight-8 of some sort in their '50 Dodge pickup (which now has a flathead Chrysler six). They'll be at Miller. Perhaps you could join forces with them.

Another good candidate would be an Audi A8, just because Audi fanatics love high-tech stuff so much. A straight-8 A8 would be sacrilege of the most offensive sort to them.

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  • From: Tustin, CA
  • Registered: 2010-12-30
  • Posts: 3,275

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

I can't believe I'm encouraging this........

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/5191122965.html

This guy is higher than a downtown LA crackhead but you never know...

http://eauclaire.craigslist.org/pts/5163409646.html

Distro

http://pensacola.craigslist.org/pts/5143424293.html

exhaust manifold

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/pts/5170035778.html

1990 RX7 "Mazdarita"  1964 Sunbeam Imp (IOE 2013 Sears Pointless) 2002 Jaguar x-type (Winner C-Class 2021 Sears Pointless)
Gone bye-bye
1994 Jaguar XJ12 (Winner C-Class 2013 Sears Pointless)  1980 Rover SD1 (I Got Screwed 2014 Return of Lemonites)
  • From: Portlandia
  • Registered: 2014-08-08
  • Posts: 1,035

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

Put it in a Porsche, rebadge it as a VW, and make it front wheel drive. People will literally take up pitchforks and hunt you down.

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  • From: Aumsville, Oregon (Near Salem)
  • Registered: 2010-08-22
  • Posts: 1,913

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

cheseroo wrote:

I can't believe I'm encouraging this........

The rest of us can.   smile

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  • From: Shippensburg, PA
  • Registered: 2010-11-18
  • Posts: 1,963

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

I think I'd look at finding a water pump, or something that could be made to work first.  Manifolds and trans adapters can always be made.

I like your idea of the Camaro.  An early 70's Monte Carlo or Grand Prix would also work nicely.

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  • From: Austin
  • Registered: 2013-08-18
  • Posts: 115

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/5171184315.html

http://images.craigslist.org/00909_kt21aIpbkxK_600x450.jpg

https://www.facebook.com/TeamTheResistance

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  • From: Van Nuys, CA
  • Registered: 2011-02-11
  • Posts: 3,862

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

If anyone does indeed want to build an honest to goodness Packard powered Packard Lemons car, I will totally donate this motor. Shipping will be via Lemons or HAMB relay.

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Parkwod60's Website

  • From: Van Nuys, CA
  • Registered: 2011-02-11
  • Posts: 3,862

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

cheseroo wrote:

I can't believe I'm encouraging this........

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/5191122965.html

This guy is higher than a downtown LA crackhead but you never know...

http://eauclaire.craigslist.org/pts/5163409646.html

Distro

http://pensacola.craigslist.org/pts/5143424293.html

exhaust manifold

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/pts/5170035778.html

I have the distributor, just need to repopulate it with a rotor, and cap. I actually have a spare cylinder head pulled from a pick and pull years ago that used to hang on my wall. I have the proper flywheel, and it is typical big V8 sized, so finding a pressure plate and clutch to work should not be a problem. I actually saw someone giving away a 3 speed Saginaw manual on Craigslist just last week, but did not grab it. The factory exhaust manifolds actually look like small block chevy ram horns, so I wonder how far off they are? A pair of cheap mild steel block hugger headers for a SBC surely could be made to work with minimal welding. It only has 4 intake ports, So either a set of motorcycle carbs off something that made more than 150hp (any modern big bike), or 2 U shaped maniforlds with 2 Rochester 2bbls and the intake is done.

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Parkwod60's Website

  • From: Van Nuys, CA
  • Registered: 2011-02-11
  • Posts: 3,862

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

Update: The motor is not rusted and stuck, it turns freely with just a firm grip on the balancer. Not sure if it has ANY compression yet.

The other update: This motor is 42" long measuring from the front of the balancer to the flywheel flange. For reference a 300 Ford six is only about 36.5" and I saw a length for the Chevy stovebolt of just 32". So this motor is not going to fit into just any engine bay, not without modifying the firewall.

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Parkwod60's Website

  • From: place of bad smells
  • Registered: 2012-03-14
  • Posts: 334

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

A remote water pump like a Meziere would work if you can't find something more conventional. 

https://www.meziere.com/default.aspx

Combined with electric pusher fans and you could maybe get some leeway with radiator clearance for length.   Kinda blows the budget away, but you can probably get special dispensation.  S/F....Ken M

  • Spank
  • Utter Madman
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  • From: Escondido, CA
  • Registered: 2009-06-10
  • Posts: 5,863

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

I walked into Meziere (they are in Escondido) about 2 years ago looking for a solution for the CorVegge's water circulation concerns...

Definitely NOT LeMons-friendly in terms of pricing and not willing to bend even slightly. They were at least kind enough to tell me that their cheap water-movers wouldn't work for my application. I know a ton of teams run their stuff, though.

I left with just a catalog and a bad taste in my mouth. YMMV.

Spank's Website

22 Reply by CPT_Trans_Continental (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2015-09-01 10:58 AM)

  • From: Portlandia
  • Registered: 2014-08-08
  • Posts: 1,035

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

Parkwod60 wrote:

If anyone does indeed want to build an honest to goodness Packard powered Packard Lemons car, I will totally donate this motor. Shipping will be via Lemons or HAMB relay.

I would totally do it, but the timing sucks. Maybe pick it up at Arse-freeze or Good Effort or something, will talk to team this week. There is a four door Corvair for sale close to me and I could build a LWB executive racecar (six door with suicide doors). Now I just need to figure out how to get the the injectors and computer controlled trans from the Jag to work with the motor. Just need a bracket for the CPS...

UPDATE: Talked to team and they did not say no. Now how to get it to Portland.

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  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • Registered: 2011-07-23
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Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

You can find water pumps for the big 356 CI Packard eight on EBay, under $200. is the 288 that unusual, and can the 356 be made to fit?

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24 Reply by CPT_Trans_Continental (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2015-09-01 11:25 AM)

  • From: Portlandia
  • Registered: 2014-08-08
  • Posts: 1,035

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

Is this the right one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Water-Pump-48-4 … mp;vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1948-1954-PACKA … mp;vxp=mtr

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  • From: Van Nuys, CA
  • Registered: 2011-02-11
  • Posts: 3,862

Re: It strated simply enough... and now I have a straight 8 Packard motor

I never said it would be hard to find a water pump. They are about $150 on eBay. I also suspect you could make something work pretty easily from a 300 Ford with just an adapter plate.

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Parkwod60's Website