Re: Drove my first 55-56 Packard recently

Posted by HH56 On 2014/8/3 9:07:54

What makes the Ultramatic difficult to service, or rebuild?

IMO, it is not that they are difficult -- it is they they are so different from others and not understood and in particular, how critical the clearances are. Add to that the fact Packard may have fixed some of the items but unless the rebuilder follows a forum where fixes are publicized, he would put the unit back together and probably miss several things that needed attention. V8 bugs like the destructive wave washer or loosening pot metal lever would never be known or corrected.

In the Ultras, you can throw the readily available all new bushings and soft parts into the unit but if the rebuilder doesn't understand the fluid flow and a shaft looks good but is worn and needs changing or a revised component won't work properly with something that didn't get changed, all those new components makes little difference at the end. The trans still doesn't work properly or the rebuild doesn't last long so it is just another one of those "lousy Ultramatics".