Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Just started this last week that the transmission will not out of park without rocking the car back and forth. Is this a possible problem with the park detent internal to the trans?

Any ideas? All help appreciated.

Very common problem on the 55 due to unfortunate linkage design. At the side of the trans you will find that the shift linkage almost goes over center in the park position giving no leverage. I usually discard the set screw holding the lever onto the shaft , rotate the lever upwards about 10-15 degrees and then pin it with a rollpin. I then lengthen the adjustable link from the column to the relay shaft somewhat to make sure it has adequate leverage when in the park position. Lastly I cut and weld the pull rod from the relay shaft to the lever on the trans to suit these new adjustments.

There was a service bulletin about grinding chamfers on the shift valve inside the trans. Ignore it; that exercise is ineffective.

If you still have troubles then it is time to open up and look at the park mechanism, particularly the stop pin which will let the parking roller flip rearwards over center.

At the best of times park on these cars is delicate. Use the handbrake.

Good answer Ross

Ross, thank you. This gets started today. I was hoping that it "might be" the linkage. Worse case where is a trans rebuilder in relation to West Texas that I takes transmission shipped in?

Thank you.