[VAL] Vanessa and towing with a Patrician

[estatewagons@xxxxxxx]

Vanessa - when shopping Packards that had straight 8 engines - the senior 
model for the year - like the 1952 Patrician 400 you are considering - is 
the way to go!

For the 1952 models - the Patrician used a 327 straight 8 with nine main 
bearings on the crankshaft.  That means a SMOOTH engine if it's in good shape.

That same year - the junior series 250 and 300 series also used a 327 straight 
8 - but....it only had five main bearings.  Big difference.  The 200 series 
used a 288 straight 8.

Also - the Patrician came standard with an Ultramatic transmission.  Make sure 
you get to know a good mechanic who fully understands Ultramatics if you plan 
to tow...

Also - the 327 was a really - really long engine....and that mean a really long 
single cylinder head.  You want to make sure the head on a straight 8 is torqued 
properly or they are prone to warp etc...due to heat or cooling problems.  If it 
was ever replaced - make sure it has the correct head on it....and not a 
mis-matched one out of a junk yard that came off a Packard with a manual 
transmission (different compression ratio)

Have fun!  Oh...and remember...wide whitewalls are a must.

RL