Thanks much!

I have a 54 gear start tranny, live in River Falls WI and searched all over for someone who could rebuild the unit. After searching all the forums and going to various shows talking to Packard and Studebaker owners and countless leads I was eventually led to Dave Auto and Transmission right here in my hometown.

I stopped in, talked with Dave (super nice guy) and asked about working the tranny. He led me to a book case right behind his counter and showed me a vast collection of hardbound Packard manuals and stated he has a lot of experience with them.

Since there were not many good options at a reasonable price in the Midwest I went for it.

I just got it back and put around 80 miles on the rebuild thus far. All is great to this point. The cost for the Kanter parts and labor came in under $2000, well under any other option I have found. It did take a bit of time for them to get the work done but so far it was worth it.

If you have a need for work I would recommend Dave's shop. If you have a need but are nervous with someone new check in with me this fall, next year or down the road.

Ducky

Having trouble finding a pinion seal for rear end, anyone know if there is a modern replacement?

Thanks
Ducky

Thanks much for the info on where to find some info on the right weather stripping.

I will look for some info on getting the door adjusted, I hadn't looked at doing this as it seemed to line up very well prior to replacement but that may be because the existing seals were so worn.

Appreciate the info!
Ducky

I am struggling to find the right weather stipping for around the doors. The gap varies from under a quarter inch to about 1/2 inch so one seal doesn't do it. I have remnants of the old seal but I have not found anything that works well without either pressing the door out (too thick) or leaks by. I tried adjusting the door catch to pull the door in but it won't pull the thicker seal down. Not sure if it will relax over time but also don't want a permanent bow to the door either. Anyone have a pattern of what weather seal(s) worked for them? I have been trying products from metro molded metrommp.com as they are not too far away and have a good selection.
Appreciate any help.

Finally got under the car, dropped the transmission pan and everything is real tight other than the small pin that attaches the detent shift mechanism in transmission to an arm that connects to the arm that comes in from outside the transmission.

I did find that I had to turn the Low Brake adjustment in quite a ways to get it to finally grab, tightened it up to 20ft=lbs, backed off 1-3/4 turns. Not much room for further adjustment. Did not find any material in the pan, small amount of sludge.

I have not put everything back together yet, but I am thinking the problem with not locking in position may be with the shift lever? Is there a spline type fitup along the steering column that would lock the shifter in the various positions?

Again, is a gear shift, so it should lock into a high (dot), D drive, Low and Reverse, Correct?

Thanks,
Jim

Thanks, I had a typo, the briggs tag is 5492 not 93.

I will look into BigKev's blog and followup with Owen on car info.

Yeap, I will get it registered. Pulling all the info together. Will have a question on the various tag numbers.

Door post: 5492 9418
Body Number: 5492 9418
Stamped number above heater: < C85742 >
Engine serial number: M319804

I am told this car is all original. Thoughts based on the numbers?

Jim

Thanks for the explanation, I will work on checking this, hopefully next weekend if I can find some time.
Jim

Thanks. No moaning or other weird noise, only issue I have is it won't go into low and the other day when I pulled up behind a car at a traffic light and went to hit the gas the car wouldn't move. Shifted to Park, then neutral and to drive and it moved along. It does seem very sluggish when taking off, seems like it has to work hard to get moving. The engine doesn't rev up as if slipping, just sluggish.
Jim