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Ross wrote:
That is a completely distinct hydraulic circuit-the reason that Ultras will also lock their convertors in L range.
AH HAH!...you just struck gold Ross!...both times that I've driven the car I felt a very slight change in the transmission when I was slowing down I was probably dropping down from around 45 to 40 maybe 38 or so when it did it...I felt a little bump and something similar to a slight downshift and I was thinking it was the DD releasing but the whole time I'm wondering why it was running at such high RPM's if it was in "HIGH"...geez! how darn fast can a '53 Packard go in "LOW" gear...I've had it up to 55 and it wasn't really roaring!...it certainly wasn't redlining!
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I am surprised that you can not feel a difference between L and H on takeoff as there is quite a bit more torque available; am also wondering that the engine sounds so busy at 45. I wonder if you are getting high at all. In which case I would carefully check the 5/16" adjustment where the shifter valve enters the valvebody. On these 49-54 Ultras the detents are MEANINGLESS unless that adjustment is correct. A problem there will rob you of high and of lockup.
I asked HH if he could describe how the Ultramatic should feel so that I could get an idea of what to expect and he did...and very well I might add stating that:
"the Ultra does feel sluggish when in high range--like the old Dynaflows. You hear and feel the engine spin up and then the car reluctantly starts to move and keeps going. After you reach the governed speed--anywhere from 20-40 depending on throttle position, if things are working properly the DD will engage almost imperceptibly and engine will seem to slow down". I hope you don't mind my posting that HH but that's what I needed...and Ross, it's my fault for not having already performed the manual "LOW" to "HIGH" shift so I could provide a better comparison but I do believe at this point that you are absolutely correct...I don't believe I have a "HIGH" gear and don't beleive the previous owner did either...no wonder he bragged about how easy it drove up and onto the trailer in "HIGH" as he stated...darn thing was in low all along and he didn't even know it...no wonder he never drove it out of the neighborhood...it probably wouldn't pass a gas station without stopping!
Thanks a bunch Ross!...I'll definitely perform the LOW to HIGH shift and post results ASAP but won't have chance to check the 5/16" adjustment on the manual valve until this weekend...
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