Need to see a Packard Super 8

[Ed Davidson]

Right now I'm working on a Packard chassis that has a standard 8 mounted on the front mountings.  The owner of the car is planning to install a Super 8 as part of the restoration.  The standard 8 has the transmission mounted to it, but the mounting brackets on the transmission are about 5" forward of where they should go, so I need to know exactly how much longer the Super 8 is, so I know where to put the firewall.  Having the length of the Super 8 cylinder head would help, the cylinder head on the engine in the car is 31"..  Maybe that measurement is the same for the Super 8, I just don't know.  But the firewall has to be about 1 1/2" behind the engine, and from what I've been told the Super 8 is about 5" longer overall than the standard 8, but where on the engine does that difference in length come in?  Any help with this confusing problem would be appreciated.  The wheelbase on the car is 134-1/2" if that helps.

[alsancle]

Didn’t specify the year. The super eight engine changed a lot over the years. There’s a big difference between one  in 1931 and one and 1948. My advice is to get the engine you’re going to install in your hands.

[West Peterson]

"Super 8" designation didn't begin until... 1933-34?  Per Al, you definitely need to be specific about what year you're discussing. Difference could be as much as six inches.

[Ed Davidson]

Good advice.  According to the serial number on the engine it's a 1933 regular 8 that's in the car now.  I'll wait to see what the owner has got.