1936 One Twenty 282
1936120 hp @ 3800 rpm
First 282-cid expansion of the One Twenty engine
Packard 282 Straight-Eight enginePhoto: sv1ambo · CC BY 2.0
Packard · One Twenty / Clipper Straight-Eight
Packard 282 Straight-Eight
The long-running 120/Clipper eight that balanced Packard smoothness with smaller-car packaging.
282
Cubic inches
By lengthening stroke from the 257, Packard created the 282 that became a mainstay of the One Twenty and later Clipper lines.
Key variants
All variants1936 One Twenty 2821946–1947 Clipper Eight 282
Displacement
282 ci
Bore
3.25"
Stroke
4.25"
Years
1936–1947 family era
Key Takeaway
The 282 lengthened stroke to 4.25 inches while retaining the 257’s 3.25-inch bore. The result was a long-stroke L-head eight tuned for smooth low-rpm response and refined road performance across One Twenty and Clipper models.
Technical Specifications
- Compression
- 6.5:1 in documented 1936 specification; 6.85:1 in documented 1946–1947 Clipper specification
- Horsepower
- 120 hp in 1936 One Twenty form; 125 hp in documented 1947 Clipper form
- Torque
- No single verified factory torque figure is retained for the full 1936–1947 family in the current source set; specification varied by year/application
- Architecture
- L-head inline eight
- Block
- Cast iron
- Cylinder heads
- Cast iron
- Valvetrain
- Side-valve L-head
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Fuel delivery
- Carbureted
- Firing order
- 1-6-2-5-8-3-7-4
The 282 lengthened stroke to 4.25 inches while retaining the 257’s 3.25-inch bore. The result was a long-stroke L-head eight tuned for smooth low-rpm response and refined road performance across One Twenty and Clipper models.
Internal Specifications
Variant-specific values are labeled. Engine families that span multiple years or RPOs can have different heads, cams, induction and rotating parts, so the exact code/year always takes priority.
Identification & Output
- Engine codes / RPO
- Packard 120/Clipper Eight motor-number series vary by model year; identify by stamped motor number and 3.25 x 4.25-inch bore/stroke rather than an RPO-style code
- Casting numbers
- No single universal 282 casting is retained for the full 1936–1947 run; verify block/head casting with motor number, bore/stroke and year/application.
- Power rating
- Period brake horsepower / SAE gross-era rating
- Horsepower RPM
- 120 hp @ 3800 rpm in 1936; 125 hp factory-rated in 1946–1947 Clipper form
- Torque RPM
- No verified single torque/RPM figure retained for the full family; use year-specific Packard service data when tuning or restoring
Operating Specs
- Production notes
- For 1936 Packard retained the 257’s 3.25-inch bore and lengthened stroke to 4.25 inches for 282 cid. The engine continued through the prewar and immediate postwar Clipper era, reaching 125 hp in 1946–1947 specification.
Compatibility Notes
- Prewar and postwar 282 engines differ in external equipment, carburetion, ignition and vehicle installation; identify motor number and year before ordering parts.
- Do not confuse the 282 with the later 288 despite similar displacement. Bore/stroke, block family and service parts differ.
Notable Applications
Packard One TwentyPackard Clipper EightPackard Deluxe Clipper Eight
Strengths
- Smooth inline-eight operation
- Broad production history
- Strong low-rpm torque
Weaknesses / Watch-outs
- Long stroke limits rpm
- Flathead airflow restricts power
- Large engine length complicates swaps
Common Upgrades
- Carburetor and ignition refresh
- Overdrive transmission pairing
- Cooling-system restoration
Racing History & Legacy
The 282 was primarily a refined road-car engine rather than a factory competition powerplant. Its long production life made it one of Packard’s important medium straight-eights before the postwar 288/327 family.
The 282 became Packard's durable medium straight-eight before the 1948 288 replaced it.
References & Image Credit
Engine image: sv1ambo · CC BY 2.0 · source
1947 Packard Clipper owner's data
owner manual
Packard Club reference data
club reference
Packard straight-eight firing-order reference
technical reference
1936 Packard One Twenty 282 specifications
historical specification
1946–1947 Packard powertrain specifications
historical specification
Packard Club — year/model/motor-number identification reference
club identification reference
Key Factory / Build Variants
1946–1947 Clipper Eight 282
1946–1947125 hp gross
Final postwar production evolution before the 288 replaced it
Engineering Notes Worth Knowing
01
3.25 x 4.25-inch bore and stroke; 282 cu in / 4.6 L.
02
Cast-iron side-valve straight-eight.
03
Factory output progressed from about 120 hp in 1936 to 125 hp in later Clipper form.
04
Used in One Twenty, Clipper Eight, and Deluxe Clipper Eight.
History · context · related reading
The Story Behind Packard 282 Straight-Eight
Packard quickly evolved the One Twenty engine into the 282, creating a displacement that would serve through the prewar and early postwar years. It became the dependable middle straight-eight in Packard’s lineup.
TorqueList Garage Reference Series
See this engine inside the full Packard reference catalog.
The same Engine Library data now powers a more detailed mobile-friendly catalog with technical specs, variants, engineering notes, history and related stories.