1955 Packard Motor & Trans. Question??????

My friend just picked up a 55 Packard this morning...we want to do a motor and trans swap..anyone know if there are any adapters to swap in another motor and trans...ie. chevy, chrysler, ford...any help would be appriciated...thanks,mike

 

55 352 not the easiest thing to find speed parts for. the caribbean came with dual quads and most Cam grinders have some Packard profiles too.it was the biggest and baddest motor offered in 55 in the us EXCEPT the Chrsler 300's higher H.P. rating I think Packard had more torque tho. there used to be company arround that made adapters for 727 torque-flites, check Hemmings. J.C. Whitney used to offer several standard adapters for the 374 packard & studes. I haven't checked in years. the stock Ultramatic isn't worth building mounts for.
Good luck! check with Nads and I think 286 has a packard stashed also

 

MBL has one too, and has explored these same issues.

You might talk to him also.

 

how much for the motor if it runs?

 

the motor and trans are fine, i drove it home about 80 miles yesturday, on the highway about 70 mph, and it ran fine, and the trans shifts good too...hows $500.00 sound for the motor and trans?

 

Man, if it runs and drives okay with the Packard drivetrain, I'd KEEP it!

It'll make the car alot cooler than it would be with a (yawn) 350 crate motor in it!

Do some righteous body and paint work...sail off to the Caribean for dual quads...and dress up what ya got under the hood now!!!

 

Keep the Packard man, I've got a '56 352 in my '34 Ford. I've got the three speed though.
The motor's a torque monster, the Ultramatic sucks, just swap it for a 3 speed manual, they're out there.

If you insist on swapping it, somebody needs to buy this engine from you now.

 

Nads...i hear that there is a problem with the oil pump, do you see this problem, have you fixed it, of what?

 

ill take the motor and tranny if you don't want it.

 

sounds good....how we gonna do this?

 

where are you located?

 

this is for free right?

 

whats for free?

 

Sorry for not getting on this sooner. The Packard motor rocks! I have been working on my 55 Packard 400 for a bit now and the motor runs great. As for the tranny....Nads is right...they are horrible....There are several options....One is the 727 Ultra-torc conversion. This mates the small block 727 to the 352 Packard. Its like 895.00 and does not come with a tranny. There is also someone who will machine some GM overdrive tranny to fit as well but I think this is a bit more involved and can be more expensive. Oiling issues have been a problem with these but the Packard forum guys have this figured out and will show you how to fix it. In addition I think you can swap in SB Crysler lifters if you have a problem there. As far as the manual gearbox....it would be nice if you could find one...but they are expensive. If you do plan on taking the engine out and doing a swap I think you may have a more expensive project ahead of you. I would keep it and get the ultra-torc kit. For me its worth it just to be able to say its the original engine. I would also think twice before you agree to give the engine away! If you need any more ideas you can PM me.
Tim
MBL

 

the motor?

 

I'd keep the Packard too. Check this pic.This is the original "Golden Rod" From the 50s. The owner was Bernie DesJardins from the Tecumseh (Ontario) Push Rods. Bernie and his brother had state of the art cars back then and this one was Packard powered. They used to race it every second weekend at New Baltimore Michigan or Cayuga Ontario. On the back of this picture it says" Beat Connie Kalitta with this car at New Baltimore. He had a full race Willys, I drove mine"! Keep the Packard! true story.

 

i think WE talked him into keeping the packard motor...thanks,guys.

 

Yes please keep the packard engine. I easily rebuild the lifters in my 288 n 327 straight 8s. If replacements r chrysler for yer v8 run w it ! Oh , my vote is for the 727 trans.... a bit of work, but one tough trans...