Thank you very much!

Thanks!

I will try another dose of WD-40 and see how it goes - in the meantime it looks like I cannot escape taking trans coverplate off and looking it what's up & will take your notes with me. In the meantime can you tell what proper trans oil level is from peering from the top or not since I can't get under the car?

Howard, I wanted to give you update on where I am. I removed the column clip & confess I used WD-40 in the oil hole and then removed the C clip and used it below the washer in attempt to loosen/lube the upper 2-3 lever. I let it sit over night. Then replaced the clip.

In the meantime I have had NO success removing the cotter pin on the 2-3 lever to disconnect the linkage even after a few shots of WD-40. I have pinched, pulled, pushed, tapped and everything else I can think of to loosen that blasted pin but can't seem to remove it.

After letting the lube soak inside the column, since I couldn't budge the cotter pin I decided to see what was happening to the gear selector on steering column. Very gently, with clutch depressed I was able to put gear selector in neutral position & springs seemed to work again. I could not move into 1st gear but selector could move into 2nd and was then frightened to note selector very loosely moves from 2nd to 3rd, just flops from top to bottom with no resistance at all. It feels like something has disconnected?? This really scared me as I have not forced any movement at all at any point.

The next day I was able to move gear selector a bit into reverse feeling the lever move into a "notch" of some kind after a light movement toward reverse. It still would not move into first gear.

I thought I might trying to removing the cotter pin from the linkage(s) working from under the car but have not been comfortable nor have the room to move around without any hydraulic jack or stands as of yet.

Gotcha! The arrows are a big help as part of my battle is diciphering some item terms & their locations. Will work on this tonight & give feedback.

Howard I am reading over the notes carefully in your reply & the thread. I want to start with some drops of oil in the column to get some lube going, just in case. Q: what type of oil & how much should I use? Is there a hole somewhere near the top?

Thanks!

(I also sent this last night to your email - not rushing you but sent just in case preferred here.)

Hi Howard, I hope your 4th was a good one with lotsa good eats?

I gotta stuck gear issue (or shifter?) I need help on. Last Friday, July 1st, I was backing my 47 Custom Super 8 out of the garage when the column gear shift lever would not disengage from reverse to neutral. I gently "wiggled & jiggled" being careful to not force it but could not "shift" it normally. Somehow I engaged first gear so just drove it back in. When I press down on the clutch it works properly to disengage the transmission. The clutch was rebuilt near this time last summer and the transmission & OD was filled with fresh Valvoline High Performance Gear Oil SAE 85W-140 per Dave Czirr recommendation. (He told me he has since changed his mind on this choice and now recommends GL-1 gear oil.)

I don't know if this has any bearing or not but about a week or so prior to my attempted drive I accidently popped the clutch while barely moving - foot simply slipped. I had driven the car a few times since this happened with no issues until last Friday. Other than that my car has been trouble free in shifting but have noticed for a good while prior to this that sometimes I have to double clutch to go into first to prevent even a slight grind. My R-9 OD has worked just fine also, overall. I do NOT have the electromatic clutch option.

Before I go poking around under the carpet trans cover plate I thought I better ask you first as I am still pretty inexperienced on this level issue.

[I've read every bulletin & Counselor I can find that might address this issue but really need the experience ambassador with this issue. Don't see anything yet under forum here so much, yet. Still looking.]

Prior to sending this email, I also read your Nov 2019 reply on Packard Club forum page 6 under the Engine, Driveline etc topic to studeranch on his Q: "my 41 transmission doesn't want to go into 1st or reverse"

Thanks,

Jeff

Thank you for taking time to respond to the personal query! Most assuredly your ability to process and digest what you have read and ability to "spit it back out" for the rest of us to consume is invaluable! Please keep that "grey matter" sharp as I have plenty more trouble shooting to tackle, I'm sure & I'm gonna need 'ya, LOL!

Today for the first time with fear & trembling I decided to move away from ethanol free & try regular gas with 6 oz of Marvel Mystery Oil added for my 18.5 gal tank. The folks at Daytona Parts Co encouraged me to do it after I installed my carb rebuild kit and enough Packard friends & mechanics locally & elsewhere weighed in also - enough to persuade me to try it. What prompted this change was the almost one dollar difference between regular gas & ethanol-free.

Howard, I wanted to get back to you to report that as of last Thursday, my stalling issues seems licked, Thank God! The mechanic was able to service the sticking over drive relays with guidance from pps 2-3 in the 1942 service letter on "ignition cut out." Your detailed explanation you provided in your last email was most helpful in resolving this chronic issue. Also, the kickdown also seems to be working just fine so far.

How did you acquire such an extensive knowledge about Packards - what is your background?

I'm very grateful.

Jeff

William, thank you very much again for sharing your very timely suggestion on 1942 service letter (re: ignition cut out pps 2-3)- it was quite helpful for mechanic to check the OD relays which here indeed sticking & contributing to my stalling issue. First, On a hunch, once the mechanic disconnected terminal #2 going to the coil from the overdrive relay, it immediately stopped the stalling. This led to the use of '42 service letter in checking the relays. I am happy to report that as of last Thursday, the problem seems to be resolved, Thank God!

Once more, I'm very grateful to you for you kind suggestion!

Jeff