Thanks Troy - thanks all.

Thanks Tim. I wasn't aware of the torque difference for the aluminium case... Good advice. Thanks to all for the good advice... Very much appreciated.
By the way, when removing the pushbutton actuator from the side of the transmission, I didn't have a small scissor type jack as posts elsewhere on this forum have advised to use to push the trans across to enable removal, so I improvised and used a turnbuckle to pull it across instead. It worked really well and was quick and easy to install... May be of assistance to others as an alternative to the jack method.

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Hi Ross. You are absolutely correct... The bolt is there but in the wrong location... Thanks for the assistance... Much appreciated.

Hi Troy. Find below photos as requested... Warren.

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Hi all. As part of the restoration on my 56 400, I had the transmission rebuilt locally here in Melbourne Australia by a rebuilder who has built a number of Ultramatics for various Packard owners here. From the very first time I started the engine, the transmission has leaked from around the converter area... I finally bought a two post lift recently so thought it time to remove the transmission to find out why it was leaking as the car is almost finished. What I found is that fluid is leaking from around one of the bolts holding the front bell housing to the transmission case as per the photo below. I am thinking that this is a simple matter of removing the bolt and applying some thread locker or sealer and problem is solved, but would like to see if anyone else has encountered a similar issue... Thanks.

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As luck would have it, I am having my front windshield and rear window installed in my 56 400 tomorrow morning so am able to provide the dimensions of my screen. It is an original screen as far as I am aware. At the centre, it is 18 7/16" high (468mm). Hope this helps.

Warren.

G'day Peter. Long time no speak.. Hope you're well. Interesting stories re the Werribee Tip and the V8 Packards in Pascoe Vale... Not very far from where I was brought up, I'd be very interested in a few photos of the power steering set up on your 56 if you have any. My car has an earlier Ford box in it with original ram set up. I looked at using a similar integral type box to what your car uses but based on my measurements it was higher than the earlier unit and I thought it would hit the exhaust manifold. I installed an engine block with heads and a manifold on it to check the fit with the early box and you will see by the photos that there isn't any spare clearance there,so I thought it'd stay with the early box. Are you using the original pump?

Interesting that your car uses all the heater and AC from factory LHD cars. Just last weekend I trial fitted the RH dash with the original heater plenum in my car and was pleasantly surprised that there is tons of room. So, I am using the original heater, power brakes with the original steering column, hand brake etc and all fits very well. It's nice when stuff works out...

Warren

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G'day John, the attached photos of the original ones from my 400 confirm Owens measurements. You're welcome to drop by and borrow them for a sample if you wish...
Warren

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Ignore the last photo guys as ia inadvertently attached that one...

Owen, Packards were sold here in Australia (in Melbourne at least) by a Company called Kellow Falkiner. I was always under the impression that they also converted the cars, however exploring further I'm not so sure... Maybe some of my more learned Aussie colleagues can add to this.

Post war, I believe that only junior series cars were sold here. My 56 Clipper was sold here new as right hand drive. My 400 was originally a California car and now uses a dash from a locally assembled Clipper. It's interesting to note that this dash was originally left had drive. It has been 'cut & shut' to reverse the instruments etc from one side to the other. It was oxy welded and the job is terrific. The mesh screen is the original US dash one, simply reversed. It fits all of the instrument holes etc perfect, however the gold finish is not the same on the back. It looks OK but I have been seeking a local screen from a RHD Clipper, without success, so will use the US one reversed

Steering box is from a 70's local Fairlane/Falcon with power steering which required chassis mods but the rest of the column is 56 Packard. Drag link is original LHD Packard reversed. Ram is LHD Bendix but the hose connections are fouling the tie rod ends, so may ultimately use a local Falcon ram or similar... Sill working on that. Other mods, I had to cut the heater box up to enable the extended throttle linkage rod to reach the far right hand side and used modified Packard accelerator set up. Used Packard handbrake linkage also. Original LHD wiring loom has been extended to reach instrument cluster etc and body harness reversed to put the power windows master control in the right hand door. I still have to modify the steel door panels where the switches are mounted on the front doors to swap the window switches from left to right etc. I will leave the power seat switch on the left side of the seat... A few more photos below...

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