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Got the passenger door open. And the rear window down today, classy and sleek. I compiled a barrel full of parts. Later I will be uploading pictures and hopefully you guys could pitch in and tell me whats what.
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I got the doors wide open windows down in high wind. I been beating the seats getting all the dust out.

What is the part number for the lenses used on the front lights?



THEORY
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I want to mate a th400 GM transsmission. What will happen to the Packards drive line behind it? This will mean I need to get a different rear end right? What are the specs on the Packard rear so I could hunt for donor vehicles? Will this effect the torsion levelling?

For reference, all parts number can be found in the Parts Books that are available either for download or in digital database format for easy searching.

I've never used anything other than Ultramatic but in all the blogs I've read about conversions, never any mention of a need to change the rear end although you'll likely have to modify the driveshaft.

If your rear axle is stock the Custom Constellation would be a 5567 and would have a 3.23 ratio if equipped with Ultramatic. There were optional ratios though so you may need to work out the ratio by counting turns if you don't find a stamp or tag on the center housing flange to identify which is in the car. The stamp or tag would be in a format 42-13 for the 3.23. If stamped it could be covered with dirt and grease.

Bendtsen makes an adapter kit for converting to the 700R4 type GM trans.https://transmissionadapters.com/collections/packard/products/1955-1956-packard-352-400-v8-to-700r4 I believe a couple of other GM trans will also work the the adapter. Read thru Stewarts 55 400 project blog to get some idea of what is involved in the conversion and you may need to do some extra work on your own-- possibly fabricating the crossmember and throttle cable linkage since the kit apparently may no longer contain those items. The cable linkage may be the worst since welding to the original items may not be easy for some. There may be another option that does not require the fine detail welding and I believe it may have been briefly covered by Jappe who did a conversion on his car in the last year or so. The crossmember could possibly be handled by one of the modern universal units but don't know if anyone has tried. Trans work starts around page 46 in the blog. Work on your Clipper would be the same.https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=11305&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=450

Jappe covers some of the trans work on his Clipper here.
https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=17504&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=0

Nothing needs to change with the TL.

As to the rear end, that usually does not need to change either but you will need some driveshaft work done to add a modern front U joint to work with the GM trans and maybe change the length. I would think most driveshaft shops could handle the work but if no one local wants to do it there is a place in Texas that has done work on Packard driveshafts with changing out the old ball and trunion joint to something modern.http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/Left-Column/Antique-Classics.html No idea what gears there are for the speedo but you might also need some kind of adapter box if a gear for the ratio and method of connecting the speedo cable directly to the trans is not available.

Thanks Don & Howard.

Im glad the torsion levelling will not be effected, that would of been a low blow.

Thanks for the links, I'll be reading them.

Im trying to not go the berstem adapter route and try to do as much in house & at the local trans shop. But if i have to i will. I dont much like the 700r4's but I prefer the BMF 200-4r . But I want something bulletproof with the th400, hopefully get a gear vendors overdrive. Or maybe even 4l80e. But first thing is getting that GM trans pattern and the Packard V8 friends.

What are these? I have alot.

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Im noticing I have spare parts like if they were using the trunk to hold parts for other Packards in the yard

They appear to be box lighting brackets for home or commercial fixtures.

Lol it came with 25.

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Now I know that i have a timing cover pictured above, i just want to know if its for a Packard V8.

Appears to be but it is upside down in your photo. Hope there are more parts. Don't see the cover to the oil filter canister or the heater core that goes in all the disassembled heater box pieces. There should also be a housing for the blower motor and wheel.

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