After the merger of Stude and Packard there was not too much sharing of technology at first tho much more was planned. But Stude got to use the 56 Clipper engine, and Packard latched onto Studebaker's steering column as it was more modern looking than the 48-54 version. Most of the pieces are identical or darn close to pieces from a Stude column 53-60. These work quite well and I have many hundred-thousand miles behind such columns in the Studes. After all, this is not a GM product we are talking about.

A bit of looking in a Stude parts book and a call to SASCO might bring you joy--they might even have the original part by Packard number.

As to being stuck in first: bring the tranny to neutral by pulling up on the upper lever at the base of the steering column (as countless thousands of 39-54 Handishift owners have also done). There is an excellent chance that you must adjust your 1-R shift rod a little shorter so that the tranny comes all the way out of 1 before the column shifter crosses over to operate the 2-3 lever. When you operate the shifter in the car, you should just feel the tranny come clear of first gear before the shift lever is even able to drop back to the 2-3 plane. In neutral the lever should move between the 1-R and 2-3 planes without binding.

Better look for all the right stuff: 288 has smaller ID intake runners and can't mate properly to the 356 block which was designed for the flanged gaskets--although the ports will line up center to center. Ditto exhaust manifold, which should also have a four bolt pipe flange. Bell housing will not contain a 356 flywheel and clutch. Distributor does not have the correct advance curve to match the 356 combustion chambers, although this is probably almost unnoticable. 288 Starter probably won't crank the big boy, etc etc. You'll end up happier and with a more valuable car if you do some more parts chasing.

ross

A Chicago Rawhide seal, CR 16805 will do the job for you. It looks different but fits great and I have used it in many of those transmissions--fits the straight 51-54 3 speeds as well. Available from NAPA for about $10.

Ross

Howdy: Just wanted to comment on frame holes for dual exhaust. Apparently Packard wised up sometime during the year, or at least got ready early for the '56 models. I have owned two different '55 Constellations that had factory holes in the frame for the installation of duals. One was 5567-6249, and one was 5567-6256. Imagine my surprise when a customer brought me another Constellation, slightly earlier--but I don't have the number--that had no holes on the left side. I took templates from a'56 at hand and cut the frame with a plasma cutter. If the man wants duals, he gets duals. RM