Re: Potential Packard 48-50 owner and the Ultramatic Transmission

Posted by HH56 On 2018/12/11 14:35:24

The flex plate and bellhousing are the same for all the regular Ultramatics 50 thru 54 so bolting up a later trans to the engine should not be a problem. There is a difference in throttle linkage and its operation so the later linkage would need to be carried over to the earlier engine. Geometry of the throttle linkage is a critical factor in Ultramatic operation so that would require some careful work to set up because of the different carb and accelerator linkage and you would need to make sure it operates properly and adjustment is correct after the change.

The other changed items are less critical so there is more leeway. Operator select linkage is different so there would need to be some fabrication or maybe even an exchange of parts to attach the different years. Possibly some work would be needed on the rear mount and drive shaft connection. The oil cooler lines and connections are different so some kind of adaptors and maybe hose extensions or a reroute would be needed.

If you are thinking of the 54 Gear Start, almost all those parts are different and specific to 54. If that is the trans in question, everything needed for the regular Ultra change would apply and 54 GS parts would need to be moved and/or fabricated for the earlier car making install a bit more difficult. The extra shift quadrant position would require changes to the steering column so parts there would need to change for the GS but not for the regular Ultra. With the issues the GS had because of being the first of its kind and limited testing before introduction I would not make the change unless I knew it had all the later corrections or mods incorporated. Even then I think I would combine and modify parts as Kev is doing -- replacing his 54 GS by adapting a 56 TU in place of the GS.