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Packards are not performance or, "zippy" cars, they are "crusiers" Ultramatics are NOT designed to "Kick down" and zoom on command from the gas peddle. Many, many failures result from this type abuse.
Troy, agree completely. The TU is only reliable if driven gently. To my shame, I destroyed my first one at age 16, in my parents '56 Hudson Hornet, but then, it was the most unfortunately styled car ever built and too ugly to live, anyway.
I build Packard V8s for many '56 Studebaker Golden Hawks. They're a performance car, but only for a little while. When new and driven like the sports car they were sold as, the TU usually failed before the engine dropped a valve.
Today, we know to use hardened valve spring retainers to make the engine live, but AFAIK, there's no known way to make the TU live when driven sportingly.
jack vines
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