Engine, Inboard
Packard
Name/Title
Engine, InboardEntry/Object ID
1993.026.001Description
Packard 4M-2500 The Packard M-2500 line is a line of supercharged V-12 motors developed for marine use, and used most famously in Patrol Torpedo boats during World War II. It is an overhead (enclosed) cam motor with a large but relatively low-pressure single-stage supercharger and injection downdraft carburetor. The Rolls Royce Merlin, built by Packard at the same time during WWII, is a much more advanced V-12, but less applicable to marine use. The lineage of previous Packard V-12 motors such as the 1M-1242 ("Packard sweepstakes engine") and the Liberty L-12 can be clearly seen by the single cylinders with their pressed-steel water jackets, as well as other details. After the war these powerful engines were used in many speedboats, including Pardon Me, a few of the later Miss America Harmsworth Trophy boats, and others. More info below. At the time of writing, the engine is missing its carburetor, which is shown in earlier pictures of it on display in the launch building. It was borrowed as part of the effort to get Pardon Me running, and is on the engine in Pardon Me, but will probably not be used there. EVS 08 Packard V-12 Marine Engine A powerful marine engine built by Packard Motor Car Company, Detroit, MI. Packard produced over 12,000 of these 12 cylinder engines for PT boats between 1940 and 1945. The "mosquito fleet" excelled as gunboats during WW-II and the Packards in them performed heroically. Packard guaranteed their marine engines for 500 hours, but as things got hectic in the Pacific in 1943, PT engines were logging about 1,000 hours prior to being rebuilt. These engines, which cost taxpayers as much as $23,000 each during the war, were sold cheaply after the war, as little as $250 for a new engine, still in the crate. They were purchased then for the big race boats. An identical engine is in "Pardon Me." This is a Model 4M-2500 which developed 1350 HP @ 2400 RPM. The following information is from the web site of Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA [http://www.battleshipcove.com/pt-power-plant]. "P.T. Boats were powered by three 4M-2500 Packard Marine Engines developed by the Packard Motor Car Company specifically for the United States Motor Torpedo Boat program. The Packard Marine is a powerful high-speed supercharged, lightweight engine of the aviation type. Basic characteristics: 60 degree Vee-type twelve-cylinder; Liquid cooled; 4 stroke cycle; Fuel - 100 octane aviation gasoline; Horse power 1200 hp - 1940, 1350 hp - 1943, 1500 hp - 1945. Increases in horsepower were made to compensate for the constant additions of heavier armament put on the boats during WWII. P.T. Boats achieved 45 knots top speed during shakedown testing but averaged about 40 knots under normal combat conditions.Collection
Inboard EnginesAcquisition
Accession
1993.026.001Source or Donor
Smith, LouMade/Created
Manufacturer
PackardDate made
1940 - 1945Place
Location
Detroit, MI, USAEdition
Model: 4M-2500Notes
Date: 1940-1945 Cylinders: 12 HP: 1350Location
*George C. Textor Jr. Boat Shop
4th Coast Fours, Waddington, NY
Wall
WestRoom
Bay 1Building
*Don Doebler Collections Storage Facility*Cleveland E. Dodge Memorial Launch Building