Re: BigKev's 1954 Packard Clipper Deluxe Sedan

Posted by HH56 On 2016/2/22 17:47:54

I can't see enough detail but they appear to be the original cork. If you didn't find a lot of friction material in the pan then there is hope it wasn't used much or at least was used wisely or had a rebuild.

JMO, but because of the old cork I would bite the bullet and get one of Kanters rebuild kits. It comes with bushings, seals, new clutch plates and steels, gaskets and a few other things. The kit does not come with a DD clutch or bands so unless the DD clutch has chunks coming off or is obviously thin and worn it will probably be dry but otherwise usable. If it is dry you might get the mooing sound as it comes in but many of us live with that. I've got some around somewhere and will measure just to give an idea of what to expect. Can't remember if the boxed one I have was new or used though.

Same with the bands. If there are no chunks missing and you can see grooves or at least a uniform thickness those are probably OK too. If the adjust screw was not all the way in there is probably life left in them. Be sure to check the condition of the anchor pins holding the levers. Those pins are a weak spot and frequently cracked.


EDIT: Measured some used items. 3 DD clutches. I'd say usable is around .160-.165. One DD clutch was used but looked almost new with deep grooves. A couple were obviously worn and those were at .140 and .150. Bands same. Measured 4 of them. Good grooves was .160 again and seriously worn was .130 with the other two in the middle. Grooves seem to start going at about .145.

These were all cork so can't say what modern or even NOS stuff would measure but I would say if your DD clutch and bands come in somewhere around .160 they should be usable unless you want to get it all while it's open. Plan to spend a couple of hundred for DD and another 100 ea for exchange relined items with Kanter. No idea what items from Ultramatic Dynamics goes for.