78 Ford Bronco
Carquest 433433 $144 A/O Sep 2016.

You also should change the thermostat housing water neck to one which points to the P-side, not straight ahead. I used some Chevy one that I found on ebay/amazon.

Craig

55 Clipper rear pumpkin is a Dana 45. Srs are Dana 53 which is not compatible. It's not compatible with 56 either. It is also not compatible with Dana 44. Very special item.

Craig

These pages from my website are about the T-L and may help you figure out what is going on (right/wrong). I agree: check the on/off switch under the dash first.

http://1956packardpanther.com/Panther/torsionLevel.html

Craig

Really nice original survivor!

One quibble: there is no such thing as a "3 Speed Twin Ultramatic Transmission". All T-Us were 1 or 2 speed depending upon which D-range was selected. The torque converter was a lock-up type which *felt* like a 3rd speed, but wasn't.

Craig

I used the Ford (actually 1968 Bronco) radiator on my Panther. "Some mods required" is an understatement IMO, but it will work and is larger than the original radiator.

Craig

Fred,

Nice Patrician! I just got back from 20th Pontiac Heaven event in Phoenix (great Pontiacs too!) and took my 55 Pat out on some errands. I had 4 encounters with Packard lovers here in Pahrump, NV including an older woman who chased me down until I made my last stop. She just had to see my Pat and talk about it -- which I was more than accommodating.

I'm sure you've had similar experiences in France.

One time there was a bus load of French tourists stopping at the local shopping center before continuing their trip from Las Vegas to Death Valley in the Summer. Instead of all going into the supermarket for the stop, they all came over to my Packard to see it, take pictures and ask questions. Since my French is from High School I couldn't understand most of their questions, but fortunately a couple of the tourists spoke excellent English so we had a fun conversation. I opened every door, the hood and trunk lid for them and they loved it.

The French seem to love their cars and others. Enjoy your Packard.

Craig

They do sell polarity reversers, but it's been a while since I looked that up.

Or, you can do what I did on my 55 Pat, change to Neg ground like the 56s. It's easy. The T-L, ignition, lights, most gauges, AM radio and starter don't care. Only the ammeter, regulator and generator care. You can buy a neg ground regulator like used on the 56s and change the terminal connections on the ammeter and generator. This change also makes it possible to install a modern neg ground AM/FM/CD for better sounds.

Silicon spray also works as a lube on rubber parts and you can buy it at any Auto Parts store or even Walmart.

The Panther project is on suspension. Several things have happened.

I unexpectedly had to move to a new place which does not have room for the Panther. Panther is safely stored in a 10x25 storage facility at present.

I had helpers who quit (maybe I'm too hard on them?).

I'm in a moving mess situation which will take some time to straighten out.

I used to have a 3-car garage, and how I have an oversize 1 car garage which is full of all the stuff from the 3-car. I have to figure out what to do about that.

Panther is about 90% complete, but due to the above, I'm not sure when I can get restarted.

I'll keep you appraised.

Meanwhile, my 55 Pat is running fine.

Stuff happens.

Craig

HH56 Quote:

As one of the co-inventors of the Olds oil pump adapter kit (now sold by Jack Vines), in my (not so humble) opinion, the Olds pump completely solves any issues with Packard pumps, reworked or not, new or not. It there are clacking lifters and/or or low oil pressure at idle, then you need an Olds pump and adapter kit PERIOD.

Of course, if you don't currently have an oil pressure problem on your 55 or 56 (both are susceptible), then don't fix what ain't broke.

Also, one can substitute an electric wiper motor as well or use the alternate vacuum source fuel pump with the original motor as described in the quote above.

Craig