Thanks for the info. I'll have to check out the Hawk site.

I've already been in contact with Mikes Transmissions in Reseda CA (about two weeks ago). And FYI, they are no longer able to do the 700R4 conversion. It sounded like it was a collaboration between three guys. The man who did the machining has passed away, and the other two are no longer on speaking terms. They did say they could maybe find someone else to do the machining, for around $3000 Plus, not including the cost of the donor trans. They did give me the name of another guy, but I've had no luck contacting him.

That may all change, but just to let you know what I encountered.

Speaking of Edmunds aluminum heads! Look here;
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PACKARD-EDMUNDS- ... ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and an Edmunds two carb manifold!
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PACKARD-356-EDMU ... ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It was originally POSitive ground. Packard went negative ground in 56.

Just my own prejudiced opinion - how much for a wife who could drive the car as is? And can you get anything for the current wife on a trade?

The quickest way is to look at the coil. If the wire going to the distributor is on the + side of the coil, it's positive ground, if it's on the - side of the coil, it's negative ground. I can tell you that it was originally positive ground.

Exactly. They changed the index point on the transmission lever and length of rod to ensure the transmission lever was at slight angle when in park, otherwise rod and lever could drop into a straight line and couldn't go anywhere. If that is OK, then there were issues with the early pawl in transmission getting stuck in the parking gear. As mentioned, several items are covered in service info.

how do i tell what way my car is. + or - ground? there was no battery. i see on the internet that it should be a + ground. but the previous owners says it was neg ground. there is no battery in the car for me to check this.

thanks for the help. i plan to get under there to see if wiggling the drive shaft a bit while my wife tries to more the level might help. just incase it is stuck in park by the parking arm in the trans. i will also look at the linkage, might need to be lubed a bit.

so, what you are saying is the linkage can align itself in a straight line causing the bind because the the joints are locked like an elbow.

got the car home today

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Congratulations on your acquisition and getting it home.

You might want to check out the 55-6 tech bulletins and service counselors available on the website for the park situation. There could be several causes but being an early 55, first one coming to mind is the early linkage setup which allowed rods and levers to align in a straight line with the resulting bind and inability to move gearshift lever.