Re: 1950 Packard 288 Auto overheating HELP

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2010/1/26 14:10:39

Though it's no doubt not a factor in your problem as it occurs at idle if I understand your question, but your stated shift point of 35-40 mph is really very high unless you've always got your "foot into it", normal shift point at light throttle opening should be 23-28 mph, give or take a few. As the torque converter is the only thing in the trans that generates significant heat, I wonder if you have the throttle pressure set right or have a governer issue. But in any case those things don't affect overheating at an idle.

I'd not consider relocating the feed to the trans cooler. It would be instructive perhaps though not necessarily diagnostic to measure trans oil temp if you can find a convenient way to do so. I've done it on my 56 by dropping a thermocouple down the filler tube. My temp measured exactly the same as the coolant temperature, about 160 F (with a 160 thermostat) after a long highway run.