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G'day all, especially Matt, I spoke to your engine fellow yesterday ( Geoff Wheeler ?) and had a good discussion. We concluded that your primary need is for the Big End bearing type of rods. We both agreed that the mains are probably fine as poured babbitt and no urgency for replacement there. I have two sets of shell rods , a good set which I was going to use in my 1605 and a spare set which are a bit "how's your father?". I am not sure when the new "re-manufactured" shells will become available in the US, so what I would like to do is provide you with my "best' set to get your vehicle back on the road. The rods and bearing shells are from my 85,000 original mile 1603 engine. I am very confident that they should provide good service in your vehicle as I ran them in my 38 1603 Formal for 6 months without a murmur from them. The rods have new wrist pin bearings fitted which have not been used in an engine. I would need you to obtain another set of rods and bearings in reasonable condition to replace my set within say two years maximum, also fit or pay for fitment of new wrist pin bushes. This will allow you to get your car back on the road and me to continue to put my 1605 engine together. Does anyone have any other ideas ? and/ or would this suit you Matt? Best regards, Peter Toet.

In addition to the previous post, it should be noted that the Packard crank should be hardened if it is to be fitted with Valiant slippers, or any other Beryllium Copper inserts. I was reminded of this by Tim Scorgie, whose friend down the NSW South Coast converted a number of packard 320 engines to the Valiant slippers. I can't remember his name but he was killed in a freak accident a few years ago. I understand that there is a process of "super-chilling" which hardens the crankshaft sufficiently. i shall endeavour to find out a bit more about the process and cost. best regards Peter Toet

Hi Peter,

Very interesting, I would think you must be thinking of Kevin Stein who is unfortunately no longer with us. A sad loss he did 2 engines for me. I now use Dave Moor at Nabiac.

David McCredie