Engine instalation

RichFox · January 17, 2006, 11:11:06 AM

If I can post it here is the first picture of a Packard Powered Vega ever seen. Of course it needs a little work. Also the first Ford top loader/Packard mating.

sirstude · February 22, 2006, 07:47:13 AM

Rich,

Is this a Packard V8 or a Studebaker V8 after the two companies merged? Just curious, don't have any knowledge on the Packard, and not much more than that on the Studebaker.

Doug

Glen · February 22, 2006, 11:53:25 AM

Rich says it'a Packard.
Glen

RichFox · February 22, 2006, 01:07:23 PM

It is a Packard 352 cubic inch V8. Made in '55 and '56 only. This is the same engine as used in the '56 Studebaker Golden Hawk. It was also made in 320 and 374 cubic inch displacements. The 320 engine was also used in '55 Hudson and Nash automobiles. I fully expect to have the worlds fastest Packard powered post war GM product.

mtkawboy · February 23, 2006, 09:15:44 AM

All you have to do is show up to have the fastest Packard powered post war car that I know of. I worked on one once and that is one stout piece, some heavy duty iron. Id love to see the pictures, Ive looked thru the photo section with no luck. Definetly thinking outside of the truck that hauled the box, good luck with it, love to see it happen.

mtkawboy · February 23, 2006, 09:17:41 AM

That was cool, as soon as I posted the pictures popped up, dont know what I did. I like it!

Dave Cox · February 23, 2006, 10:52:12 AM

Hi Rich, what's the motor with the red valve cover(s) in the background of the first picture, I don't recognise it.

Dave

RichFox · February 23, 2006, 12:00:47 PM

The motor with the red valve covers is a SOHC 3 Liter V6 Nissan. Similar to the one I had in Jack Costella's F/FS in 2000. As far as the Packard powered Vega goes, it only began to seem like a good idea, to me, after I started reading Jack Dolan's many posts.

Dave Cox · February 23, 2006, 01:52:17 PM

Thanks Rich! I've been working with Honda S2000 stuff (with red valve covers) and it threw me.

The Packard looks like fun. I may have a 352 laying around (from a 55 custom I did years ago, dropped a small block into it), If I still have it, it's yours! I think it had the "Ol' Tramatic" (Ultramatic) trans attached.

Dave

RichFox · February 23, 2006, 03:15:51 PM

I'll take it. Always happy to give a Packard a good home. I used to run in G/GR with a Lotus 907 (Jensen-Healey) motor. Had the record until George came out with his S2000 motor.

JackD · February 23, 2006, 04:09:49 PM

Who sand bagged the G/GR record before you and George ?
I had a Packard many years ago that had a reverser in the Automajic and would shift to the higher gears if you went fast enough backwards.
Also if you got it going real fast in reverse and let go of the wheel the view was panoramic.

RichFox · February 24, 2006, 08:38:30 AM

Doc Jefferies and some other guy had the record before me. They used a Cosworth engine as I remember. Later on they bought a factory effort and did pretty good. I have no intention of running the Vega backwards unless Bennham gets a rear engine Altered class approved.

JackD · February 24, 2006, 08:59:56 AM

That was a 2300 pinto replica block and a Ford Cosworth head like a Vegna that was available in the Rally Sport
Cortina in Europe.
The drive train that came with the 1 sedan was never used and the orher 2 were built in house. They put about 10% on all the classes they ran with another 10% still in reserve.

RichFox · February 24, 2006, 03:56:10 PM

That's interesting. I never knew much about your motor. I thought it was an Escort block from a Ford Seaira. Or a Cosworth BDP or somesuch. I was stunned by Don DeBring's record and thought it would last forever. Guess Rick was not as stunned as I.

JackD · February 24, 2006, 05:56:38 PM

SCTA was so shocked at Don's performance with the little engine and the little car they wanted him to back it up at El Mirage. At the next Speedweek he went faster and they went away.

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Engine instalation