Packard engine rotation

[Rodedog1]

This may seem like a silly thing, but here goes anyway. I have been given a model 1603 Packard 5 passenger touring sedan. The car appears to have a 1941 engine in it,I don't know for sure, but I do know that the engine is longer than 1938 engine. Anyway I think I may be about the third or fourth person to own this car. I know of one who worked on it before, my father gave it to me. Here is the situation, the car has been converted to 12v neg. ground. It has an alternator on it, but it has never been started since being rebuilt, two guys ago. It looks to me like this engine may rotate backwards from what I'm used to. Does anyone know ? This has been an adventure to say the least, but I think I may be closeto starting it ( I hope )

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

Some marine applications turned backwards. BUT WHAT makes u think it turns backwards???

[Guest Randy Berger]

I think all automobile engines rotate clockwise as viewed from the front.

THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE MARINE USAGE.

[Clipper47]

If the engine in the car is longer than the original Super Eight engine I would guess that it would be a 356" engine from a Super Eight.

The original 319" engine rotation is clockwise (looking at the front of the engine) and so is the distributor. If it has a 356" engine from a 1941 the engine rotation remains clockwise but the distributer rotates counter clockwise. There are many differences between the two engines. The distributor on the original is on top of the cylinder head and the 356" is on the driver side. The serial number on the 320 engine is located on the upper left centre of the upper half of the crankcase and it will a number from "A 500051" to A502527 . If the engine is a 356" from a 1941 Super Eight 160 will have a "D 500051-505000" number and if from a 180 model a "CD500000-502000". The number is located on the left (passenger) side of the block towards the rear above the crankcase. Info obtained from the Packard Club site Tune-up section, The Packard Identification Guide by Dr.Marvin and my own experience! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[West Peterson]

If you want to know exactly when the engine was built, there are casting dates on both sides of the block, near the rear and WAY down. With all the engine accessories, it's difficult to see, especially on the driver's side where the starter is in your line of view. If your splash pans are off, it would probably be easier to see the dates from looking up from the bottom.

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

Rotate the engine Clockwise at the front. If the Distruibutor rotates in the correct direction then it is not likely to be set up for reverse rotation. THis ASSUMES that the distributor drives the oil pump.

[Rodedog1]

Thanks to all of those who replied to my post about the engine rotation on my 1938 Pacard. One of your questions was why I thought it might run backwards. So I went out to the garage and looked at it again. I see that the leading edge of the cooling fan blade is in front on the left side of the blade, which would pull air through the radiator only if the engine was running clockwise, standing in front of the car looking at the engine, however when I look at my F-150 inline six, the leading edge of the fan blade is in front on the right side which would pull air through if the engine were turning counter-clockwise, standing in front of the truck looking into the engine compartment.The sides of the blades are determined as if you are sitting in the car or truck. Then I turned the engine over ( using an old battery ) It didn,t start, but it did turn slowly clockwise( standing in front) The Ford truck turns the other way( counterclockwise standing in front).Also looking at a diagram of the viberation damper, it shows the timing marks and an arrow pointig down( clockwise) I haven't seen this before and I am wondering if maybe someone might have seen itand set me right about what to do next. Thanks

[Guest Albert]

the older cars the fan rotates in the same direction as the crank. the newer ones with the serpitene belt, can be run backward, see if the ford's fan is running off the back side of the belt..then it will rotate counter clockwise..