Packard 352 V8, where was it used?

I know, I know, who cares about a big old Packard 352 V8, other than Packard club members, but here goes:

Where were the Packard 352 V8's used other than Packards and Studees? Did they ever use them in HASHS? I kinda remember Hudson/Nash using them in 55-57 cars, does anyone out there have any info on this? And if so were they coupled to dual range (single coupling) hydros?

That is one big engine from a dimensional point of view, and if it was designed by Packard, chances are it is strong too.

 

I dont remember it in a nash car but they would buy who evers what ever on the cheap to stay in production, I remember dads 57 silver hawk having the 352/stick.

 

The 320 cubic ince version of the Packard V8 was indeed used in '55 Nash and Hudson cars. Early in '56 AMC began production of their own 327 V8 and stopped using the Packard engine. There have been stories that GM bought the tooling for the Packard V8 after Packard ceased production in '57 and that one or more Chevy Vegas have been spotted with Packard V8 engins of 363 cid. I actually have pictures of one of these cars if anyone is interested.

 

Sounds neat Rich, I'd love to see them, not sure it's kosher psting them in this thread tho.

 

The Packard V8 was used in all Nash and Hudson V8 applications in model year 1955 and early 1956. They were coupled to Ultramatics. The first American Motors designed and built V8 was introduced in mid-year of the 1956 model run. The first being a 250 cubic inch engine.

 

One in the shop this morning (Suns not up yet) and one on a sunny day at seceret GM test track

 

I've seen one in a '34 ford coupe. I'm pretty sure that it originally came that way.

 

According to the M*sclecar history series book on the history of the BBC, GM purchased the tooling for the Packard V8 as Rich says and it actually was ***igned a Mark number. Try THAT in a trivia contest...

 

Many years ago J.C.Whitney was selling brand new 352 inch Packard marine engines complete with water-cooled exhaust manifolds.

 

I sure would be interested in those pics.

 

I posted them.

 

I am kinda slow right now, thanks, that sure looks like a great engine to mess around with.

Now the real question of questions: Has Hudson/Nash ever bolted a GM hydro to it or does anyone have an adaptor to accomplish that?

(As everyone has probably noticed I am a GM (single coupling) hydro freak and seem as if I want to bolt that transmission to just about any engine)

As one of the previous posts mentioned, that the Ultramatic was used in 55 and 56 on HASHS. Curious if the 320 and 352 Packards had same bell patterns?

Still might be fun to mess with. Maybe Packard 352, dual range hydro in my 57 F-100. Ah, it sure is fun to dream!

 

d2, how long have you had the Renault 4cv? Is it driveable? The bucket seat we used in our Model A Ford was from a 1957 4cv.

 

320, 352 and 374 inch Packards are outwardly Identical as far as I can see. The bellhousings are the same. They have cast on half bellhousings simular to a '49 Olds. If you have a stick shift bellhousing ithas the same bolt patern as a pre '64 Ford and Ford T85-T10 and top loader transmissions with the duel bolt pattern can be used. I did a how to do it thread on the Packard fourm.

 

I had a '56 Golden Hawk with the 352. 275 hp. The 374's in Packards were 310 hp with 2/4bbl carbs. The second most powerful engine of '56 just behind a 345 hp Chrysler 300. Mine was hooked to the Ultramatic transmission and it was a POS. I couldn't keep mine running because the transmission was always broke and nobody knew how to fix them. The Edsel garage tried to a couple of times. Finally traded it off. A buddy of mine had one with a T-85. That would have been the A-ticket back in those days. I have an old copy of a 1956 Hot Rod magazine and there were tons of old roadsters back then with Packard power. At Turkey Run back in November I saw one roadster with a Packard in it. They were a hell of a motor back in the day.

 

It's a 58 and have had it for 3 years. Haven't had a chance to get it running, just needs brake hoses, which I have. Would like to find another for the body and interior, don't care about the power train. I have my own ideas for that, to which I am working on that. They are pretty cool cars, everyone thinks it is cute, but the one that I am working on with the new power train, will be faster than fast! (No I am keeping the one in my avatar stock. That way I can have one that is stock and another that no where stock, other than looks.

 

Thanks for the info, I forgot the 374 Packard. That's the big ticket, that I want now. If they have the half bell already, should be pretty simple to adapt an Olds or Pontiac hydro.

Man I am going bonkers already, need that 374!