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| Packard straight eight 1m-356 |
| Author |
Message |
    
packard356
New member
Username: packard356
Post Number: 1
Registered: 06-2015
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2015 - 04:34 pm: | 
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Hello all,
Could anyone possibly point me in the direction of anyone who could help me find a pair of Packard Marine Eight 1m-356 engines?
Regards,
James Dreyer |
ldobbins
Senior Member
Username: ldobbins
Post Number: 170
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2015 - 05:08 pm: |
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Greetings James,
Good luck with this one as they are fairly rare. But we have seen them here before. Here is a paragraph from a series of articles I have written for the ACBS Tahoe Chapter quarterly newsletter "Western Wood":
After the war, Packard returned non-military production and started a new line of marine engines for pleasure boats. A marketing plan was hatched to sell these engines starting in 1947. It used the company�s reputation as the sole producer of PT boat engines during the war to push these new 6 and 8 cylinder civilian engines. The first 1M-245 and 1M-356 shipped in the spring of 1947 with some 768 units be delivered that year. Both engines were of the inline flathead design based upon their automotive line. Packard built transmissions and reduction gears of their own design for these engines as well. One of the big selling points was the introduction early on of the �Finger Tip Shift�. Similar to the Chris-O-Matic shift, Packard used a servo and remote control to shift their transmissions. No more long shift rod between the engine and helm. The last of these engines were produced in January of 1951. Most of these engines were sold directly to boat builders including Chris Craft for use in 25� to 46� cruisers. 1954 saw new Packard V-8 auto engines of 320 and 352 cubic inches. While there was talk of developing these into a marine version, the company was in serious trouble by that time and none were ever built. As with the surplus markets of previous decades, other companies were quick to purchase these new engines and marinize them. Thus ending the Packard marine supremacy!
Cheers,
Lew "The Left Coast Sterling Guy!" |
packard356
New member
Username: packard356
Post Number: 2
Registered: 06-2015
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2015 - 05:25 pm: |
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Hi Lew,
Thanks for your quick reply. Yes I am expecting this will be a long slow search. I have come across a few old boats online that still have 356s fitted, and a couple in Packard museums, but none that would be available. My boat, a 33' Luders commuter "Laughing Lady" originally had a pair - she was launched in 1949. From what I have read and seen, the engines were incredibly well engineered, with the 9 bearing crank etc offering exceptional smoothness.
I sit patiently and hope a pair will turn up. There was a pair of 245s on Ebay last year, so they are out there.
J. |
packard356
New member
Username: packard356
Post Number: 3
Registered: 06-2015
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2015 - 05:36 pm: |
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Bump! |
packard356
Member
Username: packard356
Post Number: 4
Registered: 06-2015
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2016 - 12:43 am: |
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So I found a pair. Happy days.
Would any one happen to have a service manual for these? |
robert
Senior Member
Username: robert
Post Number: 726
Registered: 07-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2016 - 11:06 am: |
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FYI: http://www.oldmarineengine.com/discus/messages/3454/5646.html
http://www.packardclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=530 |
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