Re: A '56 Packard for $395.......1961

Posted by Randy Berger On 2014/9/7 19:48:38

I purchased a 56 400 in 1962 for $150.00. He had spent over $300.00 on the T-U and couldn't consistently get reverse. He was a diesel mechanic and just gave up on the car.
He had a shop manual with it and I studied the pushbutton section. My cousin and I jacked up one side and I slithered under to watch the PB in action. The whole unit would flop around and move rather than staying still and moving the shaft.
Some overzealous mechanic had stripped the threads in the casting where you adjust the PB. I turned the strap end-for-end, adjusted it to be in reverse when the R button was pressed and drove it for four years till some lady driver tore out the whole passenger side. The insurance company gave me $200.00.