1955 Nash Missing Packard V8

I think you may be in uncharted waters here. Since the engine and Packard UltraMatic are gone, you can only measure and/or guess. If you can get the measurements between where your "NEW" side engine mounts will go and the flange on the torque tube, AND if the transmission-to-torque-tube bolt pattern is the same, you may be OK. I'm guessing the 287/327 Marlin engine will be comparable in dimensions to the old Packard V8, because AMC stuck the similar-dimensioned 250 V8 into the '56 Wasp and Statesman bodies and called them Hornet Specials and Ambassador Specials. Which, IMHO, makes the length of the BW auto [I'm assuming it's an auto] the biggest question mark.

You should be OK, because as I recall, the Hornets and Ambassadors had a longer wheelbase than the Wasps and Statesmen, and the difference was between the firewall and the front wheel.


Edited by Buzzman72 - Mar/28/2018 at 6:04am

Yeah, you're going to have to go take some measurements and look at the way the torque-tube mounts to the trans. I know the mount between TT and trans is different, you will need a pre 62 model. Maybe a 58-61 Ambassador? Those were only 117" wheelbase though, so I doubt you can use the TT. The TT may mount the same as the Packard did though. Since AMC had to have a TT adapter made for the Packard Ultramatic trans, I would assume they used the same type connector as their other cars. That doesn't mean that the driveshaft yoke will fit though. Unless a different length output shaft was needed for the Nash cars, I'd assume it would be the same spline as other Packards. If the yoke is like other single u-joint Rambler yokes, it pull off the front of the driveshaft. Hmmm... that's on the six cylinder cars with a solid shaft -- the V-8 cars used a tubular shaft or a two-piece with the front tube/rear solid (I think the two piece was only 63-66), and the yoke may not slip off the front.

You might get in touch with the Nash Car Club of America (NCCA) and see if anyone over there has done this kind of swap. You really need a 57 Ambassador to swap parts from -- that would be a bolt-in. The 1956 Specials were the shorter wheelbase Staesman/Wasp platforms with Ambo/Hornet trim. They were a bit lighter than the longer wheelbase bodies and better suited for the 250 V-8. Note that the wheelbase difference between the short and longer bodies was all in front of the firewall, interior of cars weren't bigger. The 55 Special hardtop was 300 pounds lighter than the Ambassador 8 hardtop (352 straight 8). The Ambassador 6 sedan was about the same weight as the Special hardtop, I have to think that straight 8 was most of the weight difference, they couldn't have saved much weight by using the shorter wheelbase bodies!

Even if you have to lose the torque tube you can make something similar and keep a lot of the original suspension. A torque arm suspension with a positive holding joint at front would work. Not a lot of movement -- joint can be something like a strut rod -- just a bolt and two bushings. In fact, I'd use a late model AMC two piece strut rod bushing. The arm would just need a stud on the end, then a crossmember with a bracket. The existing trans crossmember is to far forward. With a slip joint in the front you wouldn't need to have the pivot right at the u-joint, but it would be best if close. The spring seats are just bolted to the top of the donor rear axle (Ranger or Explorer should be right width). Wouldn't be hard to make a bracket for the arm on some axles, not for a cruiser with mild power (like a stock AMC 327). You can use the torque tube trans. Splines and seal are the same as 67-71 open driveshaft trannys -- you just need one of those yokes and have a driveshaft made. Modify the original panhard rod bracket for the donor axle and keep it too.

If you don't use a torque arm you will need to modify the rear suspension more, either use a four link, ladder bars, or "tuck arms". Home made truck arms will have a similar look and feel as the original, taking place of the brace rods on the original axle in a way.

I suggest finding a wrecked Clipper or Packard somewhere and stealing the engine and drivetrain from it. The 320 was Packard's baby engine. They had a 352 and a 374 too. Some versions of the 374 made over 300 horsepower. Absolutely monster engines....like every engine Packard ever made.