Customs 51 Packard, drivetrain suggestions

Might be getting a 51 Packard that has no engine or transmission. Was thinking about a Chrysler 440/727 to put in it. Need some feedback, maybe some other torque monster engine combo?

 

Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile or Pontiac!

 

What model, 200 300 2 dr or 4 dr

 

Buy a great running beat up body car and swap everything including rear axle in it into the Packard…

 

500 cube caddy, turbo400. That combo did pretty good moving those rolling barges....

 

Ford 460 with a C6

done well moving late 60’s -70’s Lincoln around with gusto

 

It all depends on what you want to do with the car. The 327 and 354 Packard Straight 8's were great engines, and parts are still plenty available. Back one with a 3 spd + OD and you have a cruiser that will run at 70 mph all day. If it was me, I would be looking hard for a 352 or 374 Packard V8 and back it with a modernish overdrive auto.

The problem with the 727 is it is a 3 spd, with no overdrive. Not a problem if you are bombing around town, but any long distance highway running gets old with the engine singing away at 3,000+ rpms. Of course a nice tall rear end ratio (think 2.55 or so) will cure that problem, but then that 5,000 lb land barge gets a bit sticky around stop and go lights. The quick and easy option is any big blockish 430+ ci motor from your favorite manufacture, Ford 460, Chebbie 454, Buick / Olds / Poncho 455, Mopar 440, Caddy 472 or 500, etc. Transmission options are aplenty for all.

Hell, if you really want to have fun with the masses and are looking for a torque monster. Go find a 392 IH, preferably one backed with a 727 auto, and put Packard stickers on the valve covers. The comments, questions, and puzzled looks would be priceless any time you stop and open the hood.

 

What do you have room for between the frame rails, and if using a 440/727 will surgery to the firewall and floor need to happen?
Just something to think about as you move forward.

 

That's what I need to know about. Just working with concepts at the moment. Ford 460 is probably the most compact unit out of all of them. And, I have plenty of experience with them.

 

Ford 300 six with an AOD behind it.
Keep it inline and you want something reliable and smooth.

or use the 300 six and the T-170 top shift 4 speed [which gives a 4th O/D] from a mid 80's F150

 

The A-518 (A = hydraulic shifting) version of a 727 will work with the 440

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/chrysler-a-518-four-speed

 

Except they didn’t make a big block A-518

 

A 374 Packard with dual quads pushed Dad's 56 Carribbean easily to peg the speedo. 310 hp & 400+ touque. Like vandanplas said, those straight 8 Packards were GR8 engines. Dad's 53 Patrician with a straight 8 outran a 54 Caddy.

 

Being a straight 8 originally, what is the shape of the engine bay? How much hackery are you going to have to do to put a V8 in it? What are your plans for suspension? I imagine that's a big heavy car. I think you're going to want torque more than anything.

Devin

 

OK, my bad

 

what? no sbc crate motor?
something big inch and automatic. or if you purchase proper Packard power plant on the cheap it will do fine. but having more torque is always fun.

 

You can put an A-518 behind a B-RB engine and not use a multi-bolt adapter plate .
It does require a bit of surgery.
You cut off the factory bellhousing and use a JW "SFI bellhousing" that bolts to the front pump.

The A-518 [46RH] is based on the A-727 but has electric controlled O/D and lock-up converter which is easy to convert to Hydraulic activation with a couple of oil pressure sensor switches

 

Well, back in '68 I had beautiful '49 Packard with a straight 8 and Ultramatic trans. It was a great road car (ask the man who owns one) but I lived in San Francisco at the time and if I had to come to a stop on a steep hill it would not move, but would just sit there at full throttle making a sound like the vacuum cleaner from hell.
If I had your car I'd put in a big engine with a modern trans so I could really enjoy it wherever I went.

 

The idea of a multi carb twin pipe straight 8 with a cool old school 3 speed column shift with electric overdrive. That would be cool, unique and good functional, powerful and dependable driving.

 

Yes, there's nothing wrong and plenty right with the 327" 4-bbl Packard straight eight. With an overdrive, it's a great cruiser.

Yes, there's nothing wrong and even more right with the 374" Packard V8.

There are adapters to put the 700R4 behind either.
https://transmissionadapters.com/collections/packard

jack vines

 

I’m sure there’s nothing wrong about a Packard straight 8, well except for finding one, and the transmission, then the most likely cost of rebuilding them.

 

Some local guy had a slightly newer Packard with a SBC and an automatic in it. It looks lost in the engine compartment. I like the 460 Ford idea. I would entertain anything that came around too, providing there aren't things in the way that require major surgery.

 

Jack, a Packard engine in a Packard, now don't be talking common sense around here..

 

Big block Mopar is good. Couple of clearance issues. Starter is on the driver side which competes for space with other stuff. The oil filter sticks right out front roughly level with the crankshaft on the driver's side, so you often have to trim the front crossmember or use a 90-degree adapter or a remote filter setup. But you might have enough room.
I would also do some research on radiator inlet and outlet positions relative to inlet and outlet positions on the engine.
And as mentioned, overdrive for those engines is not easy or cheap.

 

A 472 or 500 cu in Caddy would be my choice just as is with TH 400.
Pat

 

The Buick Nailhead was designed to replace/fit in the Buick straight 8 engine bay.....

 

I have my own likes,same as most,#1 is any OHV V8s of any type/running an free if poss,but make in make is extra cool* when I see it!
So #1 idea would be a late Packard V8 n tranny

 

...where to start......
All pre-computer trans were 'hydraulic' shifted. Then we have the early R46H vs the later R46E, but these are only small block.
So, no B-RB overdrive 727.
Cutting the bell off of a 727 gets mixed results, and why buy an adapter for that when an adapter is available for putting the A trans behind the B-RB engine?
Several companies (not me) have this adapter available. It is also not difficult to make one if you have a mill.

 

And don't forget once you get the engine figured out....you gotta' figure how to get that monster to steer and stop better than it did in '51 ...just sayin.

 

Pinifarina