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#1
05-29-2017, 01:28 PM
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Packard Panther engine installed!
Hey guys:
My current project, a 1956 Packard "Panther", just had it's engine installed on Saturday. The project was not without it's challenges as any restomod custom is wont to have. The Panther engine was assembled to the flywheel, clutch and Borg-Warner T-10 4-speed transmission the last couple of days and successfully installed. The crankshaft pilot bushing is a Dorman 690-032. Because of my mismatched parts, I went to one of the old time guys at the local NAPA store who went back to get an old parts book which actually listed parts by dimension and he found a pilot bushing which was what I needed: 1956 Packard crankshaft and 1963 Ford Borg-Warner T-10 4speed. So that problem solved. Then there was the problem with the clutch throwout bearing. No one ever put a Borg-Warner 1963 Ford 4-speed transmission into a 1956 Packard. the original Packard manual clutch setup is nothing but a "Rube Goldberg machine", so I went the hod rod hydraulic clutch route. The problem was the mix & match parts caused a 0.150in preload instead of a 0.150in clearance between the clutch fingers and the bearing. I used a Speedway Motors BBC 3-finger clutch, Packard flywheel & bellhousing and a B-W T-10 4speed tranny, so the mismatch wasn't that surprising. I had to modify the throwout bearing shaft rear to get the right clearance, but no problem after that. Here are some pictures of the install. Yes, the engine went in with the custom made (by me) headers:   Yes, that's a big damn engine. The same physical size as a Chrysler 426 Hemi. My GF was watching the install going in and and was scared spitless about it (a Packard engine with tranny weighs 750lbs). To me: no biggie as I've done it hundreds of times. Tilt it back and forth, left and right and it plops right in with a satisfying "THUD". LOL! Last edited by Craig Hendrickson; 05-29-2017 at 01:34 PM. |
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#2
05-29-2017, 01:50 PM
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Looks good! What's your estimate on power?
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#3
05-29-2017, 01:53 PM
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Headers look good....not bad for a rocket scientist!
__________________
1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A. I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977. Shut it off Shut it off Buddy, I just shut your Prius down... 
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#4
05-29-2017, 03:23 PM
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Looks fantastic, Craig! Give me a call when you have a free minute sometime. I lost your number and voicemail on the last cell phone meltdown.
__________________
Founding Editor-in-Chief, Poncho Perfection 10/1/15-12/31/24) Contributing Editor: Collectible Automobile (1999- ) Author: "Grand Prix: Pontiac's Luxury Performance Car" (4/27/07) "How to Restore Your Pontiac GTO" (7/15/2012)) "Pontiac Concept and Show Cars, 1939-1980" (3/25/16) "Pontiac Performance 1960-1974: The Era of the Super Duty, H.O., & Ram Air Drag & Muscle Cars” (10/15/24) "Leave the gun, take the cannoli." |
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#5
05-29-2017, 03:53 PM
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Quote:
I'm going to take it Westech Dyno Shop near Ken Crocie and strap it to their chassis dyno for some fine tuning. If I get 325 at the tires, I'll be happy. |
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#6
05-29-2017, 05:19 PM
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Very nice! I can't wait to see it done.
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#7
05-29-2017, 06:50 PM
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My God that is sexy!!!!!!
__________________
 "Don't let fatigue make a coward of you." |
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#8
05-29-2017, 07:12 PM
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Yep, that's a beauty.
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#9
05-29-2017, 09:37 PM
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If you want to see more about this project, go here, especially the "Restomod" part.
http://1956packardpanther.com/Panthe...ect_Index.html |
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#10
05-29-2017, 09:50 PM
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Unless you are really, really brave and have a lot of $$$ don't ever attempt a custom car restomod project like this. Even I, who knows what I am doing and has enough $$$ has been befuddled by something like this. Be forewarned.
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#11
05-30-2017, 11:25 AM
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Love it! 1956 is my favorite year Packard.
Importsmasher
__________________
Scott Baggiore 66 GTO convertible 389/4 speed (parents bought new) 73 Firebird Formula 400/4 speed 74 GTO 455/4 speed 74 Grand Am |
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#12
06-01-2017, 04:43 PM
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Here's an addition to the engine install.
For the carburetor linkage and accelerator pedal on Panther, I elected to use parts from the hot rod world. I had several reasons for this: 1) The original Packard accelerator pedal and linkage system is kind of a "Rube Goldberg" series of rods, pivots and levers. 2) I'm not particularly happy with the straight up accelerator pedal used by Packard such as what is in my 55 Pat. The natural position for one's right foot is angled off slightly clockwise, not straight up. 3) The carb linkage for a 55-56 Caribbean is difficult to find and probably would be expensive and require modification to work with the Holley carbs I am using. The accelerator pedal assembly is an aftermarket replacement for 1970-72 Chevelle (Summit AMD-X409-3470). It consists of the slanted pedal (angled clockwise), hinge, and pull-lever mechanism:   \The throttle cable is a replacement for 1968-72 Chevy SB (Summit GMK-4033-233-705):  The throttle linkage for dual quad is set up progressive (rear carb primary for light throttle, Summit MRG-3830G): 
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