Hot Rods 1955 Packard 352 rebuild

I have found a 1955 Packard Patrician in the local junkyard and was wondering about the engine. I believe it is a 352. I'm wondering if it would be worth it to rebuild and if I could use something like a LaSalle transmission behind it or if I'm stuck with trying to find a Packard manual transmission (it has an automatic behind it now). I know this is a rare engine so it probably isn't worth it unless I had a Packard to put it in. Thanks.

 

Jack Vines is the Packard guy, I expect he will be along any minute. In the meantime, yes the Patrician came with a 352 cu in, 260HP engine that year with a 4 barrel carb.

The V8s were only made for 2 years and were seldom used in hot rods. I wouldn't say hop up equipment doesn't exist but it must be about as rare as it gets.

Many were sold with manual 3 speed or 3 speed+overdrive trans in the lower priced cars like Clipper. So, bellhousings, clutches, transmissions etc not too hard to find, compared to similar sized 50s motors like Cadillac, Chrysler or Buick.

I believe a Ford 4 speed fits to the same bellhousing.

The only weak point I know of off hand, is the oil pump but there is a kit to put an Oldsmobile pump in.

It certainly would make a unique hot rod engine. Power similar to a mild Chev 350 but 150 pounds heavier and about 4 times the trouble and expense. Whether it would be worth it to have the only Packard hot rod in town is up to you.

There is an active Packard board here, with a section on hop ups and modifications.
Packard Motor Car Information - Packard Forums

 

I had a 352 in my non HAMB V8 Vega. Ran OK and everyone thought it was different at least. On the Packard forum I did a How to install a Ford 3 or 4 speed top loader using the stock Packard stick shift bellhousing. The bellhousing is reasonably easy to find. Packard used BW three speeds at the same time as Ford so they shared the early top loader bolt pattern. T85 I think or maybe a T10 with the '64 Ford bolt pattern fits. Few other things need to be done, but mine worked. Actually Jack owns the engine now. He sells the Olds oil pump kit. I used one. Most of the rest of my parts came from Kanter.

 

Kevin Tully has real nice header flanges here on the HAMB. Joe Panak at Roto-Faze made my distributer. Isky has cams I think. Lifters are the same as Chrysler. I used Aries pistons. Only the intake requires some looking.