The Packard pushbutton assy is actually fairly complex with all the buttons interlinked with levers and blockers so two buttons cannot be pushed at once. The mechanisms are what holds the buttons in so not sure how easy or even successful you would be in removing all the mechanical interconnections and trying to add individual springs.
Depending on what type actuator you would use on the transmission another issue might be that the electrical output from the buttons is fairly "dirty" and if you are going to try and interface with any modern solid state actuators the signal may be too erratic for reliable operation. You might need to convert the mechanical contacts to some sort of solid state switching with a decent solid state compatible power supply. If you do succeed in making the buttons spring loaded individuals, then instead of solid state switching maybe removing the long duration slide type contacts and converting to fast snap action microswitches as Riki detailed in his blog could work instead. That might provide a clean enough signal the solid state didn't go crazy. You may still need to provide a rock solid clean power supply though.
It might be easier to try and adapt some sort of modern control assy into the existing pod. I don't know what all is out there in the way of shift units but
here is one that works with a GM trans and looks to be fairly flexible.
If you wanted to keep a stock look possibly some method of attaching the existing plastic and chrome PB caps to the new controller could be found but not sure if the layout (on this brand) can be changed or if there is another brands control assy that would orient properly in the Packard pod.
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