Remanufacturing a Packard V12 engine

Restore Cars remanufactures all types of senior classic car engines of the 1930's era. I have received many questions about the dyno numbers. Here are the numbers. The torque curve starts out at 436 and bottoms out at 320. HP starts out at 124 and steadily raises up to 197. All pulls were on a same line and very smooth throughout the RPM range. These are corrected numbers. Book value is stated at 175 HP peak. Sometime I will post all the runs on my website so you can see all the pulls. I'm not website say, so it may take a little while to get this done. Mark

[@BruceBoschek]

In addition to the beautiful work you do that is so rightly lauded in the comments here, I really appreciate your explanations and descriptions of the work being done. All-in-all a very worthwhile video. Thank you very much.

[@claytoresto]

Thank you Bruce. I'm sure our TV show that is in production now, will yield such good content.

[@squach6239]

claytoresto Hey ,cool video! You shop looks like an operating theater! Is it actually sterile? Anyway ,I was wondering why you stayed with babbit bearings? Do you have to or do you like to,so as to keep it as original as possible?It seems to me,my Dad told me the old Chevy's had babbit bearings and people would change em out,to a better bearing. He also mentioned,his old boss had molds,I guess you'd call them, for recasting babbit on the connecting rods. Oh well,if you answer ,great,if not,great video anyway! Thanks for posting this! The Packard motors were always beautiful,even the straight eights,as simple as it gets,were works of art.Looks like you guys are worthy custodians of a real artform!

[@claytoresto]

We repair the original main bearing shells and usually put in a modern bearing in the rods. But not all engines we can find modern inserts for. One example art the Auburn V12. We also harden and stress relieve the crankshaft to withstand the inserted rods.

[@squach6239]

claytoresto Thank you. I find this kind of stuff interesting as hell! Thanks for the response,very kind. Amazing work,true Craftsmen.

[@wirelessaddict]

you are artisans !!

[@iamrichrocker]

incredible craftsmanship..incredible machines..and you surely deserve more subs...

[@pjay9518]

mint workshop, very impressive.

[@threesquared6720]

No Roadkill stickers there

[@accmagazine5050]

Every great motor shop still use old time machines and tools, etc. Nice to see the old machines at work.

[@ginamiller6015]

Nice to see that genuine skill, craftsmanship, and expertise can still be found in America. Outstanding work!

[@Lockemeister]

Truly Outstanding. I'm in awe.

[@alexpowers3697]

One of hose moments that restore my faith in humanity. Beautiful ework and shop.

[@jimkey920]

Absolutely commendable! A Masterwork on a great engine. I had a 1947 Clipper 8. I bought it in 1961 for $8. I had to do a valve job on it and replace one exhaust valve. They were fanyastic cars! I never even saw a V12.

[@gordonliddy9418]

much more interesting than watching an ford flathead being rebuilt

[@funonutube100]

Nice to see someone who takes great pride in their work and takes the time and effort to do it RIGHT the first time.People like you are becoming very rare these days where shoddy work rules the day. My father always said" do it right or stay home". WELL DONE SIR!!!!

[@Robotster]

That was the quickest 13 minutes ever! Great video. Thanks!

[@panamericaco]

WOW! Awesome work, looks like a NASA shop with all those mashines, and clean, too!

[@cartbart1]

I clicked on this expecting a restore This is closer to building a new factory engine This is amazing

[@derekcrymble9085]

The people who designed and built this car when new , would be proud of you, for giving this car a new life that is probably better than when it actually was new . great work, good editing of vid , A-plus! more please.

[@hectormcarmonadiaz9184]

very interesting,first time watching a rebuilt on a V 12 packard,thanks for sharing.

[@turboslag]

Now THAT, is an engine rebuild!

[@bladder1010]

Just fascinating to see that level of craftsmanship. Thanks for posting this.

[@poorman1973]

Packard one of the best cars ever made!

[@oldschoolgreentube]

My grandfather owned and ran a machine shop during WWII. He was exempted from the draft because he was the only machinist in a 300 mile radius and was needed to keep the farm equipment running where he lived. He talked a lot about all the crazy adhoc, methods he had to do to keep engines and equipment running during a wartime economy with very limited resources. Given the age of that engine I suspect some of those not so orthodox repairs were the result of a wartime rebuild when new parts were simply unavailable. Though not exactly up to modern snuff, they seem to have kept that car moving down the road for a good many decades.

[@ladamyre1]

I'm watching you do this excellent work and all I can think is, *"This classic flathead engine could sure use a nice GMC 6-71 blower on top of it. Might get 3, 400 smooth-as-glass horses out of it."*

[@edmahonejr.9364]

Was thinking the same thing...but those rods look too skinny for any forced induction...

[@tootone]

My god that is a sexy engine. Also it blows my mind how much precision/love you put into that thing. I imagine it was an order of magnitude greater than was put in originally. That thing will last forever.

[@916commons]

My late dad was a tool and die maker, and I recognize all that is being done to this wonderful engine. Both of us built our 1928 Ford Model A engine in the basement and carried it back up the stairs in 1975. I was 19 then and am now 67. Hats off to all of you with deep respect.

[@benzman113]

Proper job there are no short cuts nice to see

[@drewmog123456]

Who are the 400 people who seem not to like the video? What you are doing is truly wonderful (or awesome as you yanks say!).

[@vermontjeff2535]

There's 400 people that turns old cars into turn offs . By installing 2jz engines into American dream cars

[@petrichor649]

If they're 're not interested in the video then why bother looking? I bet they spend all day, everyday in a dissatisfied state . 😁

[@johnnyohness]

JUST ANOTHER OF AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE ART. Packard is one of the finest automobiles ever built on the planet. How wonderful it is to see master rebuild engineers ding their magic on such a worthy automotive treasure. It saddens me to see all of those PT boats burned down at the end of WW2. Just imagine what those engines alone would be worth today used in new applications. These Packard 12's had low-rated HP but tons of torque. They were as smooth as rare wine. These cars are beyond amazing and worth every penny to 101% restoration. Such beautiful eye candy as well. Tank you for sharing your magic with us.

[@RonnieDean60]

The original manufacturers and engine builders of the car would be amazed at the technology today. Best restoration I have seen. RDH

[@vargohoat9950]

great stuff, awesome to see this classic motor properly rebuilt, so much to it

[@ddavid122]

One thing is to read or be told the displacement, another is to see the size of the piston and intake holes in the stripped block. That’s a big engine. Absolutely beautiful work. Thanks for the video.

[@fisqual]

They don't make things like they used to, except you. Beautiful work!

[@regsparkes6507]

Just beautiful! Reminds me, as I wipe the tears from my eyes, of the 1936 Packard Six my family owned in the 1950's. My father bought it from an older gentleman who, never ever used it outdoors in the rain or any bad weather. It was basically a Sunday only driver, while he owned it. I remember that the paper 'envelopes' were still on the velour covered sun visors. Oh, how I wish I could have been allowed to keep that car. I know , it was only a Packard Six,...but it had such a 'stately' look to it and was painted that wonderful Packard Blue colour,..( almost black ) As the song goes,..."Thanks for the Memories"!

[@peterschmidt7543]

Nice to see people do it the absolute right way and to see craftsmanship still lives and in this case appears to be well established. High class video. Thanx.

[@davem387]

WoW How Intense !!! You People are Superior Craftsmen !!!! Well Done !!!!

[@olcarfreek]

When you started it on the Dyno I could hardly hear the work you put in the V 12 Packard. Excellent work Thanks for show.

[@1940limited]

Thank heaven for guys like you who can deal with these old engines and bring them back to like new specs, or probably even better. Not only are you a highly skilled craftsman, but you know how to do an excellent video explaining your operation. I guess you have a little move star in you as well as your incredible machinist skills!

[@charlieharper4975]

OMG the technology! I worked my way through college as a mechanic in the 70s. I did engine rebuilds. My honer was attached to a drill with a long shaft. I stood over the engine and worked the honing stones up and down the cylinder by hand. Valve seats? We lapped those by hand. Valves? That was our most sophisticated piece of equipment. Dinosaur stuff compared to what is in this shop.

[@godbluffvdgg]

It's always heartening to see the men that have devoted their lives to machines...With the tech and tools at the level they are; they make it look easy...But; when you understand mechanics; you know this is a work of love...You guys can hold your head high with pride...As good or better than new...

[@Visionery1]

I previously worked in one of MB's truck engine manufacturing plants, it's always a pleasure to see something like this.

[@MrEricld1]

Great job. Packards are some of the most beautiful cars this country has ever produced.

[@vicentefuentes67]

You really are an artist .... congratulations on that impeccable work.

[@jimclarke1108]

I found the Packard V12 engine to be very interesting to watch being remanufactured and hear it run,machining standards and design technology seen same as today

[@ronaldreed7698]

It had a lot of mechanical noise I'm not familiar with. The noises changed in pitch/resonance as it warmed up. The noises changed in pitch but they didn't go away.

[@Ignignokt5150]

A craftsman needs quality tools to do it right . Great stuff .

[@bg147]

Awesome. It looks to be plenty heavy. My grandpa would talk about Packards and LaSalles.

[@ToneShapers]

Very interesting. One comment from an old Snap-on industrial salesman who used to sell torque tools to nuclear plant metrology labs, etc: With click wrenches, you should sneak up to torque slowly and deliberately, and when the wrench breaks, *immediately* release (I'm commenting about 8:36). During visits to industrial accounts, we used to set up torque testers and hide the displays, then put a wrench on and have maintenance guys or machinists or whoever (purchasing agents!) pull the wrench, then we'd uncover the display to see how close they were to the torque the wrench was set for. Almost everyone over-torqued. A wrench set to 100 lb-ft often applied 150 or more before the guy let go of it. They were always surprised when we'd uncover the display. Some guys were better, some worse, but in any case it took practice with the torque tester plus a dollop of patience to consistently be able to get within 5% of the set tolerance. Dial wrenches = whole different ball game, but click wrenches - even when they're the best in the industry - easy to over-torque. Given your mechanical expertise it's probably never caused you any problem, but what they hey, mechanical guys always seem to be interested in mechanical minutiae, so thought I'd share.

[@dufus2273]

these large displacement engines have a uniquely smooth sound. Even the v-8 and straight eights were gentle giants. great job guys. beautiful automobile. Not just a car. beautiful shop.

[@ghw7192]

My first car was a 1955 Packard Patrician. I paid $350 for it back in 1965, but it had been in storage for 10 years and took almost a year to make roadworthy again. After all of the work involved, I love anything Packard. A VERY interesting video--Thanks for sharing!

[@jimburig7064]

It is enjoyable to see things done to such absolute correctness. Restore Cars is a top notch operation. Thank you, gentlemen for these informative videos.

[@4gauge10]

My grandfather had a few of these Packard 120 series with the V-12 in them,these engines run better then swiss watches and produce tremendous amounts of torque. My grandfather used to talk about how he ever so often would"BEAT THE TRAIN"after the engineer would hand signal to him running along side of a 4-8-4 Northern,he would start"pouring-the-coals"to the 8 drivers,the race was ON!!.Granpas 120 series 9-passenger limo would run well past 120 miles per hour,easily. Needless to say,the Packard V-12 made iron pate out of nearly every 4-8-4 Northern he went up against.And this was done most of time with the family in the car!!.(seriously)

[@myrryxmas]

my Dad bought a '33 Packard V-12 after he returned from WW2 in Europe and confirmed your assertion about their performance... what your grandfather didn't tell you was they used almost as much fuel as that 4-8-4 Northern as well!

[@lastup4170]

Somewhere in heaven a Packard engineer is smiling.

[@nn608]

Yeah man.

[@olddavid4]

Flathead motors are what I learned to wrench with. I had forgotten how much "fun" valve adjustments could be. Thanks

[@Mountain-Man-3000]

Now THIS is how you build an engine! Very jealous of your shop and the machinery in it!

[@SinnerSince1962]

It was amazing the quality that was built into the cars of the day.

[@Journeyman-Fixit]

Gotta love all this!

[@MrLargePig]

A Beautiful engine, and a beautiful job. Fascinating to watch.

[@northerniltree]

Nothing so heart stopping as a Packard 12 convertible. I've owned a Packard 6 1941 convertible for a lot of years. As nice as it is, the 12 is the real deal. The original engines were all built by craftsmen with no CNC machining. I give them a bunch of credit, as well as you. Gotta love these pre-war Packards. Keep 'em alive. Ask the man who owns one.

[@oldschoolgreentube]

It is so cool to see 21st century engineering being used to preserve and restore mid 20th century engineering.

[@ronaldturner3049]

This is late 20s - early 30s, not early 20s.

[@vanlittle5893]

My Father had a 1938 Packard V-12 limousine. 6,000 pounds of beauty, and you could start from a standstill in any gear.

[@n7565j]

My father had a 38 Packard V12, which was his first car. He absolutely loved that car, and kicks himself daily for trading it. He swore you could crank it up and stand a nickel (on edge) on the radiator cap, said that was one of the advertisements for that automobile :-) I've just sent him this video, I know it will make his day :-) Thank you for sharing a little history with us :-)

[@claytoresto]

Thanks you Brian. Your father may like the follow-up video I did of the car while I was test driving it. Here is a link kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnfHZJiafrdloLM

[@n7565j]

claytoresto thank you so much 😀 My father had a stroke a year ago, and we really enjoy watching videos such as yours together. He loves old cars, especially Packards, you've made our day😇

[@claytoresto]

Thanks for the kind words Brian. There is lots more to come. Keep your eyes peeled for our TV show called "A Road Less Traveled"

[@eqcicil]

Very impressive precision machining! Inspiring to watch people that take pride in their work. Thanks for posting this!

[@tasamaantallaaja]

Respect...I don't know what to say .... so professional and clean. Well done!

[@styldsteel1]

What a wonderful thing to watch. Your shop here has true craftsmen and I truly, and sincerely hope that this "A" level of skill set is passed down to the next generation. I mean that. Secondly, last year 2017, my wife and I had to opportunity to take a 3 hour long walking tour of the Actual Packard Plant in Detroit, MI. I can only describe this tour as being a part of greatness. Some of the areas are ghostly, the office locations are still there with it's complex woodwork and complex floor tile still pretty much in tact. It is a must see for any Packard fan. Thank you sir, A true joy to watch. Have a great day.

[@MrNextdoorscat]

hats off to the engineers who created this engine on old school manual machines in in a unheated dark factory to a deadline, day in day out

[@wirelessaddict]

my boat diesel mechanic DONT shorcuts things , probably this is the reason is slow and expensive, but all turns out beautifully !!! shorcuts are the perfect receipt for disasters fixing an engine.

[@gridrover]

WoW! What beautiful work you do!

[@quested5202]

After looking at that engine I can understand why Rolls Royce picked them to build the Merlin engine. Absolutely stunning engineering.

[@keithstudly6071]

No, they picked Ford. Henry Ford threw a fit that Edsel agreed to build the engines and canceled the deal. THEN Packard got the job.

[@jozsefizsak]

To a somewhat obsessive perfectionist like me, this was a glorious thing to watch. I hope your customers appreciate how special your work is.

[@martentrudeau6948]

Such great work, amazing car and engine. America knew how to build them back then. My only regret is I am not rich enough to buy a new rebuilt Packard from your shop, thanks.

[@jtjjbannie]

Modern machining rocks!

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

What a difference between this truly professional operation with its properly-equipped, clean, well-run facility staffed by highly-trained mechanics, machinists and other experts, and the dingy, cluttered, disorganized, poorly equipped and poorly staffed operations we often see in other places. Thanks for this video and for showing us how competent professionals approach the daunting job of rebuilding engines such as this Packard V-12. It is reassuring to know that this caliber of work is still actually available in our current throw-away society, where “entitlement” is the order of the day and, to many young persons, the concept that one could or should invest the time and dedication to train to become a professional mechanic, machinist, body worker, welder, automotive electrician or other automotive professional is not even on the horizon of possibilities; it’s just too much effort. In another video, I learned that there is a college in Kansas which offers a 4-year degree program in automotive restoration, where the various skills needed for this work are taught both in the classroom and in a properly equipped shop setting. It will be interesting to see if any of the viewers have enough interest in this type of work to ask the name of the college. Thanks again for an excellent video.

[@claudehutchings2171]

Impressive ! and I have only made that statement 3 times about machining operations. Jay Leno should do an interview.

[@myrryxmas]

you can't beat Packard craftsmanship - it's the reason Rolls Royce was willing to license Packard to manufacture their Merlin engine - and it's obvious you continue their tradition. i'm a machinist with 35 years' experience and i wish i'd met someone like you at the beginning of my career. don't get me wrong, production machining has fed, clothed, and sheltered me all my life, but i've always been happiest when the boss has tossed me a project that absolutely, positively HAD to be perfect the first time. i'm six months away from taking the early retirement package my employer offers, but at 54 years old i've still got quite a few good working years left in my life. if you're ever in need of an apprentice with some grey in his beard, just post a reply. i'm willing to relocate, learn everything you can teach, and work for a reasonable apprentice's wage.

[@claytoresto]

Absolutely. We are always in search of great people wanting to do great work. I can be reached at [e-mail]

[@blipco5]

Myrryexms...Good on you man. Great idea for your retirement. Go for it. Good health and good luck.

[@tiberiusclaudiusnerogermanicis]

You have an extremely nice setup there with some very nice and expensive machines. I mean the ability to cnc things in house is just amazing. Not to forget your lovely modern boring and honing machines. Just a lovely machine shop with some lovely machines. Great work on the engines too. Just beautiful work. And that crank was done to perfection!!!

[@larjkok1184]

Better than new. Much better.

[@oscarbear1043]

Good to see a real tradesman with pride in his work. That old donk was probably better than when it left the factory. Great work, a real pleasure to see. Thank you.

[@gordonkearney7356]

I so enjoy watching a master of their craft work on an engine. I have a 38 year old car and I adore it. I have all the tools but not the skill set to do this myself. I admire folks like yourself who do it just so. Everything to the thousands of an inch and never take short cuts. As it's so difficult to find a true artist at their craft. Well done and very good video.

[@truthseeker8483]

Great workmanship, that V12 must reallt purr down the road.

[@mrmusicmanic]

Stunning work/ craftsmanship

[@DdVille7]

The first car that I learned to drive in was a 37 Packard. It looked like a monster car. That was about 1949. This video was a pleasure to watch...a well done production.

[@ronsbeerreviewstools4361]

A lot of work went into this engine. That is a very clean shop.

[@christophermarshall5765]

I love watching these type of videos. If only our younger people looked at these & saw these old school engines, it would be very good. I have worked on a few of the old school engines like these.

[@n5ifi]

If only he would shut his mouth while the engine was running, it would be very good.

[@lesbest2]

Beautiful machine work with an eye for detail. THAT is the sign of an excellent re-builder. Doing it right makes for that instant start, that is so satisfying. The owner knows what he is getting and was not surprised by the bill, this rebuild will outlast the owners grandchildren. Great video. Thanks

[@dredrotten]

This is the third time I've watched this. Amazing job! Its good to know there is still these excellent mechanics around who can do this stuff to perfection.

[@Ghostmanriding]

An exemplary video of how engine rebuilding should be done.

[@doctoredable]

Better than original factory! Thanks for posting this video. What a precision rebuild.

[@Splits-man]

Wow! You’ve got tools and machinery to do jobs that I didn’t even know there was a job to do! Awesome

[@NH1969GOAT]

As a part owner of a machine shop, hat's off for a wonderful job!!!

[@LiquidAudio]

Absolutely love this video and the craftsmanship and skill that clearly goes into the work your shop does. Fantastic stuff!

[@mfc4591]

Its so good to see men who know what they are doing and who take pride in their work. Excellent job

[@MrFathead]

Such a nice job. That engine would be better then it was when brand new in every way now.

[@amdg2023]

It's great to know that there are people that know how to build engines right, absolutely beautiful.

[@badmannerism]

Fine work indeed. I have re-built a few engines over the years and while I am no longer surprised when they start right up; I am still real happy.

[@steijny]

Beautiful work guys,but to think back in the day when these engines where new they had no computer help,no cnc gear.I love engineering.

[@HntrSvrsn]

Beautiful work on a beautiful engine sir

[@ronaldreed7698]

It is Beautiful

[@JR-ii4lq]

Soooo satisfying to watch. Love it how there's advice on things like the valve springs, as if every man and his dog is rebuilding Packard V12s - a testament to the passion involved.

[@simonsackett]

Fascinating video, thanks! I bet with modern tools and bearings that the engine runs better now than it ever did.

[@MrJdsenior]

WOW, beautiful workmanship. Bet that comes at a price. ;-) Neat to see an old valve in block flathead from the inside out, and a V12, no less.

[@neutrodyne]

You take Remanufacturing to a new level and it becomes a work of art.

[@mrhamburger6936]

looks like everything in the shop is brand new never touched by human hands

[@kipbloor2486]

outstanding workshop. the rebiuld was fantastic to watch. best restore video I've seen in a long time. great work!

[@speedwayaudio3]

My Father would have been amazed at your CNC equipment. He owned his own machine shop in Philadelphia and later in New Jersey in the Palmyra area. He passed in 1978 long before this new tech.

[@joeturnip4216]

The skill level displayed in this video is absolutely jaw dropping.

[@thomasowens6041]

Why do I get the feeling that you would do this whether anybody paid you to do it or not. It's very refreshing to watch a true technician at work. Thanks for the post.