Re: ultramatic to chrysler 727

Posted by BH On 2007/9/19 19:50:30

Yes, there was quite a bit of discussion at the AACA site regarding the subject of converting to a TorqueFlite in a '55 Clipper, but innumerable posts may have been lost last winter, due to the reckless deletion (by site admins) of any post that replied (either directly or indirectly) to a former member there that asked his account to be closed and his own posts removed.

As such, you may not get the whole story now.

While the TorqueFlite has a well-deserved reputation, the installation of a converison kit in the Packard is not simple. In the case of the subject V8 Clipper, it was a disaster, IMHO. Despite some previous counseling otherwise, the owner was intent on doing away with the Twin Ultramatic and claimed to have been gifted with a TorqueFlite core, which he paid to have rebuilt and installed. He reported a number of issues with installation and burned the TorqueFlite up not long after he got the car back on the road. IIRC, he had almost as much tied up in that conversion as he would have paid for a professional, competent rebuild of the TwinUltra. He eventually sold the car, which turned up for sale (repaired) on eBay by a new owner in TX, IIRC, and didn't bring a lot of $$$ interest - in spite of all his effort at kustomization to "improve" the car.

In all fairness, the installation might not be as complicated or troublesome with a straight eight Packard, as some owners have reported success and satisfaction. However, I would much rather have a car with the unique Packard-designed and -built automatic in good working order, and service parts are available.

Regardless, I recommend finding out what's with wrong with your Ultramatic and what it will cost to repair it before diving into any conversion.