First long trip! I went to a car show on Sunday and it was the first time on a long trip. Not the usual around the block thing. The show is about 100 miles round trip and it went very well, I was the only Packard there from about 1000 cars. Some highway and some in town driving. I kept it slow and didnt exceed 50 mph on the highway. I must say it is an exceptionally comfortable drive! But she doesnt like traffic stop and go. I have to relook my clutch cable setup, it is moaning and groaning. The diff and back axle was very quiet and no issues.
The photo is at a petrol stop on the highway. You can see some water escaping from the overflow....

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Yes that was a big saving. I hope that the modern seals will be allright. I am planning a trip to a carshow this weekend so will be able to test.

Hi

I did mine about a year ago. I wasnt told how much, but the seats are quite large and the front seats needs to be covered on the back as well. I am no expert but would guess at least 4 big hides?

I waited for 2 months for the new outer diff oil seals. I used a modern full rubber jacket seal. Hope it works well. The originals from Kanter/Max Meritt was too expensive for me. About R400 SA Rands compared to the R30 Sa Rands for the ones I put in. I can get the numbers if you want as I bought some extras in case I mess it up on install.

The test drive proved successfull -no diff noises , only some small gear noise from the gearbox which is normal. Thus far the seals seem to hold as I did not detect any leaks. I hope that the pinion shaft seal will be all right as I also used a modern rubber seal in the original seal fitting.

Here is some photos. It was a hell of a hard job to remove everything and put it back again!

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Aaahhhh! Is this ratio good or bad for a car without overdrive?

Hi JW

I managed to install the new pinion seal today and also tightened up the new pinion nut. As I dont have the necessary tool to measure the torque required, I just simply tightened it as best as possible - i.e. very tight! I used a Cleveland Nut and also Lock tite. It should never come loose again. I am hoping to start assembly soon, but is still waiting for the axle shaft seals.

The markings on my ring gear is as follows -

373215 - 4.1 Packard 3-50 59056

What does this mean for my ratios?

Regards
Barrie

Hi

As Ross said, I had a huge issue a few weeks ago with the pinion nut coming loose!!!
Luckily no further damage is aparent, but it made a big noise on the overrun. If yours has been noisy for a long time it might be the inside as the nut will become more loose and the noise will keep increasing to the stage where the pinion will start jumping gears...then you can get serious damage to the diff. I am just waiting for new pinion and shaft seals then will put everything back and hope for the best.

It is important to get the hug-lock or cleveland nuts for the pinion as they will stay tight. I am however, going to use lock tite on it too. I am not sure if the modern nylock nuts will work, but as a last resort has one ready.

The info in this thread regarding the ratios is usefull. Is it easy to see the ratios on the diff casing? Is it stampe don the outside somewhere or canb I count teeth?

Regards
Barrie from South Africa

Here is some pictures to show the wear on the teeth. Also the part numbers for the seal I have installed.

There is a groove in the yoke surface where the seal needs to run, will also have to look at that.....

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Dear all

With the diff out it is now clear that there is no damage luckily. Except for old age wear! I will just have to live with that. The diff was very quiet before the loose nut.

By the way, it is a cleveland or Hug Loc nut on mine, but its taper fit has been lost, so wont stay. The car has only been driven shorter distances a few times and without oil in the diff I presume that the nut held for these short distances.

My Seal number is Victor 49357 or US patent 2240332. Different than the one mentioned here? I am asking Max Merritt about this as his also looks like a Custom 8 seal.

I prefer driving my cars as often as possible even with rising fuel prices here. Up to now, however, the car has given me some kind of issue every time I drive it, so it has to be parked for long periods to fix some kind of issue. Luckily we don't get snow here.

And Tim, I will probably use the non - technical way of tightening the nut, although I do have a friend that used to work for the Packard distributors in the early fifties. He knows his stuff but is getting on in years.

I removed the vent screw and cleaned it. It was totally blocked.

I now have to start the long waiting process for parts so will keep you updated.

Regards
Barrie

Hi Guys

Removed the UJ this morning and the pinion nut was so loose I could turn it by hand! So obviously this is my issue.

Some questions:

How tight should this be torqued? The manual says 2 to 2.5 foot pounds required to turn the pinion shaft.

How best to keep the nut tight? Locktite presumably. The manual suggests a Hug - Lock nut, and seems to be what I have.

I cant get a new seal locally so will tighten up the nut and put oil and test drive. Just to be sure that I don't have any other issues such as bearings or gears....then order the seal from USA but it will take 6 weeks to get here. The car will be parked for then.