Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Straight 8 or Straight 6

I'm working on a rod, and have been trading with a friend of mine for some time now. I've got a choice between a '48 Packard Straight 8, or a '49 Chrysler Straight 6 that he'll trade me. I like both, but any input (ie. pros-cons), would be appreciated. Originally I was going to build a "blue flame special" with side drafts, but these 2 motors are too good to pass up. Is there any aftermarket stuff available for these motors? I can't seem to find much. Any help would be great!

Oh yah, forgot to mention, I'm new here, love the site! Inlines Rule!

Dear Phil;

What kind of vehicle do you have/plan on??

Welcome to Inliners Int.

Model "T" touring or "A" touring shortened a bit(I'm 6'6") and LOW to the ground. If I go with the 8, I'll recess the firewall a bit.

I would 'keep looking'. There is much to discover.

Phil

There's a lot more stuff floating around for the Chrysler Six. Headers, intake manifolds, cams can be bought new and even aluminum heads will be on e-bay, or at flea markets, from time to time.

That ol' Packard is an awesome engine and, if it's in good shape, it'll probably last forever. Man, they're HEAVY!!! Packards were popular for irrigation pump engines, when I was a kid growing up in Florida...a hundred years ago. In stock form they'll probably pull anything you need to with it. However, if you want speed parts, you'll have to build them yourself. Sure would be good to see one powering a cool street car, though!

I assume you know there's 'small block' and 'big block' MOPAR sixes. The Plymouth 217s and the Dodge/Plymouth 230s are 'small blocks'. The Chrysler and DeSoto engines are 'big block' sixes. There's even a 265 dual carb version used in some big Dodge trucks, back in the early '50s. (even rarer and bigger ones were made, but someone else will have to give you the 'poop' on them)

There's several great Inliners, who are working with the MOPAR engines, so there's a vast amount of expertise for you to draw from here. Welcome aboard!

Thanks for the insight!

Packard Eights also come in "big block" and "small block" configurations. If i recall correctly, the '48 Super Eight would be 328 cid, while the "Custom" or "Clipper" would be 288 cid. By 1953-54 the Super Eight was 356 cid. A four-barrel carburetor was available on the later models. Given the weight of these engines, the difference in displacement--and, therefore, horsepower and torque--is no small consideration. If a standard transmission--not the "Ultramatic"!--is available with the engine, don't let it slip away.

God's Peace to you.

d
Inliner #1450

Not quite correct on that last.

Packard 356's were last used in '50. They were the last of an older large series.

The existing small 288 was enlarged to 327 for the higher end cars in 51. In fact it came in two versions, 7 and 9 main bearing, depending on the "prestige"/wheelbase of the car.

In 1954, the 327 rec'd one last increase to 359, where it came with a somewhat troublesome aluminum head. The rated power was 212.

The Packard v8 arrived the next year, 1955.

Not bad for a 34 year old eh?

Just out of curiosity, how are seven main bearings arranged on a straight-eight? I tuned up a few of those Packards when I was working in a service station in the fifties, but I never saw one apart. Good to hear from you, IADR.

I definitely vote for the Packard Inline 8. Make your own headers and intake - the rat rod boys will love it.

I ended up with a '50 Studebaker 170ci L6. It should be pretty fun!