Re: Ultramatic Blues
Posted by HH56 On 2010/9/28 19:22:46
Assuming nothing else was unbolted in the front so the bolt that threads into an oil passage was incorrect or missing the copper washer and converter plugs are tight, that only leaves the front seal. They have been known to crack and fail suddenly like that if old & hard. You should be able to see an oil trail coming from behind the converter if that's the cause. A relatively easy fix if the pump shaft and bushing are OK-just a PIA to remove & do.
As to whether you are better off going modern, that is a question you would have to work through. Your car does have a few modern touches so the originality does not seem to be that major a deal breaker. The reliability and serviceability of a modern unit would obviously be there --- IF AND ONLY IF you get a decent conversion. Problem is that there are so few options--only a couple of places seem to be doing them. Those I recall so far that have posted having a conversion also seem to have an issue of some kind.
If I were going to do it, believe the GM with the modified bellhousing rather than extra plate with adapter Torqeflite would be the better choice. Jack Nordstrom does a TH400 for the Studebaker Golden Hawk along those lines--although being for a Hawk, lots of things you would probably have to do as well to fit in the Packard. Don't know if any one else picked up doing the other unit--700R4 I think--after one shop quit doing them. Don't remember anyone specifically mentioning the GMs but The Chrysler conversions seem to have the issues--but also maybe because there are more of them.
I expect you are also looking at every bit of cost and maybe even more than it would take to have the Ultra rebuilt to have a conversion made.
As to whether you are better off going modern, that is a question you would have to work through. Your car does have a few modern touches so the originality does not seem to be that major a deal breaker. The reliability and serviceability of a modern unit would obviously be there --- IF AND ONLY IF you get a decent conversion. Problem is that there are so few options--only a couple of places seem to be doing them. Those I recall so far that have posted having a conversion also seem to have an issue of some kind.
If I were going to do it, believe the GM with the modified bellhousing rather than extra plate with adapter Torqeflite would be the better choice. Jack Nordstrom does a TH400 for the Studebaker Golden Hawk along those lines--although being for a Hawk, lots of things you would probably have to do as well to fit in the Packard. Don't know if any one else picked up doing the other unit--700R4 I think--after one shop quit doing them. Don't remember anyone specifically mentioning the GMs but The Chrysler conversions seem to have the issues--but also maybe because there are more of them.
I expect you are also looking at every bit of cost and maybe even more than it would take to have the Ultra rebuilt to have a conversion made.
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