Before committing to a Bendtsen adapter for a 55 400, I would like to learn how many hours a shade tree mechanic would be apt to spend in making the swap. I have a competent mechanic who will actually do the work, but he is gun-shy on the hours involved.

Both the 700R4 and 200R4 have been mentioned as good alternatives to the Ultramatic. What is the difference in the two transmissions? Are both overdrive? Is there a significant difference in overhaul costs?

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Bernardi

Thank you for information. I'll contact Ross, or have my mechanic contact him. The transmission is great otherwise.

I have another 400 that can stand some help. I'm thinking of having a 700R4 installed locally. Bendyson is too far away to have him do it, tho I expect to use his kit. Can someone who has installed the kit himself tell me the number of hours it took? The only feedback I have was for installation on a Golden Hawk of the electronic version. It would not be typical of the non-electronic on a Packard.

Spring is here and I'm getting itchy to start. Any help will be much appreciated.

Bernardi

Will clipping the springs solve the racing between low and high shirts? My 55 400 Ultramatic is great except for that. It does not race on very moderate acceleration, but all other times it does.

Bernardi

HH56 -

Thank you for the Wesco suggestion. The instructions are clear and complete, plus they can supply the necessary parts and belts.

Bernardi

Where did you bolt the shoulder belt? I was involved in an accident earlier the year in a modern car. The shoulder belt and air bag probably saved my life. Can't put am air bag in, but I'd really like to anchor a shoulder belt to something on both my 400 and Patrician.

Bernardi

I seem to be all thumbs or just plain out of luck.

I wanted to thank Craig and HH56 for their help finding the right double action fuel pump. First my computer refused to work, then the thank you failed to post.

In my garage now is a double action pump meant for the 1955-57 Thunderbirds. If the action is not sufficient on a long upgrade, I'll investigate another or larger vacuum tank.

Thanks to all - I wanted to thank promptly, but late is better than not at all. Without this thread, I'd be lost.

A friend just had the Ultramatic on his 55 Patrician lose all its fluid and quit working. His mechanic has torn it down and is discouraged. Apparently it needs just about everything replaced. Estimates are in the $2,000 - $3,000 range, plus installation. Is that the going rate?

Bernardi

HELP!

I spent two hours this afternoon reviewing all the posts I could find using the search words "fuel pump" attempting to find a double action fuel pump that will fit my 55 400. Apparently no one has posted anything on the subject. Lots of stuff on single action, including a long list of Ford engines with pumps that will work on Packard V8s.

Is there some place that would permit me to compare physical characteristcs of single and double action pumps?

Is a double action pump an adequate substitute for the oil pump vacuum pump or am I barking up the wrong tree>

Bernardi

Thank you, Owen. I hadn't thought of a modern transmission shop being able to work on a Packard converter. I'll look around.

The front joint has about 70,000 miles of use.

My 55 400 has very noticeable vibration between 30 and 40 MPH. It doesn't vibrate when coasting down hill in neutral. That leads me to believe that the torque converter is not properly balanced. The transmission was rebuilt a few hundred miles ago. It did not vibrate then.

The rear U joint was replaced, needlessly as it turned out. I don't' know how to check the front one, and word on the forum is that new ones are unavailable.

Can someone tell me how to check the torque converter for proper balance and how to correct it if out of balance?
Or where to send it to be checked and corrected if necessary?
Or thoughts on what else might be causing the problem?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Bernardi in Pittsburgh

Randy - Congratulations on getting home with no more complications than you mention. If you had lost all brakes before the tire went flat, it might have been disastrous.

A few years ago we had a shop in Pittsburgh that relined brake shoes and arced them. One day the owner didn't show up. So far as I know, he is still missing so we have no shoe lining facility. Could you share with us your New Jersey craftsman?

Thanks,
Bernardi