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CarFreak

Re: Vacation Car - 56 Patrician

#41

Home away from home

So thanks for all that stuff on the limit switches. I didnt look into this further (probably should) because it seemed to be working again? so Ill probably have to look into it down the road.

While I wait for the seat I decided to hang the external trim on the car. it is looking pretty darn good! so good in fact that I said screw it and got it on the road anyway. I just took it up and down my street, but still counts as driving on a public road. It did okay. It shifted fine until it got warmed up. After it got warm I would depress the clutch to the floor and it would grind going into either first or reverse at a stand still. it would kind of go into 2nd and third while the engine was running. Does this sound like my clutch needs to be adjusted?

also, I am trying to size a compressor for the A/C system, what size was the original Leigh? size as in capacity of the OE?

Thanks!

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Posted on: 2023/8/21 16:25

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CarFreak

Re: GM transmission and push button shift.

#42

Home away from home

Quote:

HH56 wrote:
Quote:
I'm with Ross on this one. I think the easiest way to adapt the pushbuttons on the 56 to the GM trans would be to create a new contact plate within the shift motor.

Maybe and a new finger layout has been brought up before but I think there might be more involved which needs some consideration. That other stuff is the reason I was curious if anyone actually thinking of buying a kit had approached Bendtsen.

Ross made a good point in that the Packard actuator is not the most reliable piece of engineering Packard ever came up with and those of us who have the PB shift know the motor is not the strongest and can be an issue when it comes to pulling the trans out of park in some situations. No idea if motor strength would be an issue with GM trans.

Another question even if a new finger layout could be made might be how the modified actuator would attach to the GM trans. On the Ultra the actuator slides directly over the selector valve shaft and a setscrew tightens down to position and hold it on the shaft and trans. The heavy shaft is the primary method of support with a small straight bar bolted between the trans and actuator only there to prevent weight of the motor or the motor torque from twisting the actuator assy instead of the shaft. Admittedly, I have not seen a GM trans up close but just looking at photos I would wonder if the GM shaft could be made to work or if something would be needed as a transition piece between the trans and actuator. If so, is there enough room before hitting the body or frame to bring the actuator away from the trans to accommodate a transition piece plus any other attaching means needed to bolt the actuator to the trans.

The RR and the PCS actuator bolt to the trans case with RR at the rear using a lever and rod arrangement or PCS appearing to bolt to the opposite side and using a push-pull cable to make the connection. With the Packard X frame and close body am wondering if something directly on the shaft or even like the RR would be possible if a Packard actuator could be modified.

Those are all valid concerns. Unfortunately I would need to have the trans in the car to make that determination.

I only have access to the twin ultramatic, not a 700R4. So I could easily measure the shaft and motor connection on that trans, but would need a 700R4 trans to get the similar dimensions on that. and with the 700R4 on hand, a comparison could be made on whether it would be able to bolted up to the shift shaft, or would need a remote mount.

Posted on: 2023/8/21 10:19

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CarFreak

Re: GM transmission and push button shift.

#43

Home away from home

I'm with Ross on this one. I think the easiest way to adapt the pushbuttons on the 56 to the GM trans would be to create a new contact plate within the shift motor.

Shouldnt be difficult. Make a degree wheel and see where each shift point is on the twin ultramatic. Do the same to the gm transmission and you have a basic design. From there the contact plate could probably be 3D printed and adapted to the shifter on the GM trans.

Posted on: 2023/8/21 8:39

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CarFreak

Re: Vacation Car - 56 Patrician

#44

Home away from home

making slow progress on it when I find time. Was able to finally get the sway bar installed. that was a pain. I tried using a C clamp to hold it down while I pried the free end into place, but that didnt work. Found out I needed three clamps. One to apply downward pressure so that when I applied pressure directly on the face the clip wouldnt slide up. Then I needed a clamp on that clamp so it wouldnt slide down the incline of the LCA.

But with that installed I was able to reassemble the heater core box, so that is ready to go in. I got the hood latch spaced so both the primary and secondary latches hold the hood down. And I was able to verify the running lights and courtesy lights on the rear passenger doors work! now I just need to assemble them and make sure I still have a good ground from the door trim once its attached.

Speaking of the courtesy lights. I found that the dash courtesy light, and door courtesy lights only come on once the front doors open and the rear dome light only comes on when the rear doors open. Is that how they are suppose to operate?

I also noted my upper limit switch for the suspension (the one with the pink and orange wires) works intermittently. I would like to remove it and spray some contact cleaner in the switch to make sure it is operating smoothly. Can I take that out to do so? Do I need to disconnect anything else before I remove them?

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Posted on: 2023/8/15 10:49

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CarFreak

Re: Vacation Car - 56 Patrician

#45

Home away from home

This past month has been busy with vacations and other things going on, so not much progress to report. The tires arrived right before vacation and I got them mounted and balanced once I got back. The exhaust is tightened up and ready to go. Still awaiting on the upholsterer to get the seat covers installed... biggest hold up now.

but started to install some trim and the decorative 56 Florida license plate up front.

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Posted on: 2023/8/8 10:37

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CarFreak

Re: 1956 Packard 400 Fuel guage & sending unit

#46

Home away from home

I got mine from Kanter and installed with no issues. Works well. It is about a couple week lead time until it arrives at your door.

if your worried about the gas gauge reading right. One thing you can do is install the sending unit in the tank, attach the sending unit wire to the sending unit and run a jumper wire from a good ground on the tank to the body. turn the key on and note where the gas gauge is sitting, that is when the tank is physically empty. Turn the tank over and wait a minute or two. that will be your gauge reading once the tank is fuel. If you dont like where either is at you can bend your float arm to adjust the full and empty points on the gauge.

Posted on: 2023/8/8 8:34

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CarFreak

Re: 56 Caribbean Convertible Rejuvenation

#47

Home away from home

Quote:

HH56 wrote:
Could also be some dry or sticking pivot points in the top mechanism. There have been several posts on the forum about how important it is that the mechanism needs to be moving free and equally on each side or damage and broken pieces can occur.

There is a complete writeup on the top and how to check pressure and fluid levels in the hydraulic system starting on page 21 in the body section of the 55-6 service manual.

thanks for that! seems straight forward. I will try to make sure that all pivot points are lubed, and check the pressure and level of the top motor.

Posted on: 2023/7/21 15:11

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CarFreak

Re: 56 Caribbean Convertible Rejuvenation

#48

Home away from home

So the Caribbean is still running well. I had some issues with the carbs sticking in high idle. One time it was the secondaries not closing and the next was the linkage binding. But the more I drive it the more comfortable it gets with just being a car.

Had an issue with the suspension, turned out the on off switch needed cleaning. So that was addressed.

Filled up the new tank that was installed and noticed it was leaking and no amount of tightening the line would get it to stop. Found out the female connection in the tank was spinning. So I had to get that repaired. Now no leaks!!

I also got a 56 CT plate for the front! the wife got me one for Christmas and was able to finally put it on. CT because the sticker on the windshield is from a submarine base up there, so I am assuming it spent some time up there after it was purchased new in DC.

This past weekend was the first time the top was put down on that car in YEARS (by us anyway)! it was nice, until I had to put it up. I had to essentially push the top back up while having the button pushed in on the dash. It went down fine, slow like it always did, but it just stopped when it got a couple inches out of the top well. Would this be a weak motor? low on fluid? is there a process to go through to check this out?

Thanks!

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Posted on: 2023/7/20 16:17

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CarFreak

Re: Vacation Car - 56 Patrician

#49

Home away from home

Slowly getting work done to it. Got the sound deadening, thermal stuff and carpet installed. Also got all the p/s stuff hooked up and with fluids. The gas tank is connected and appears to not be leaking any fuel, so that is good.

Had an issue with the passenger tail pipe not being bent correctly. I was able to find a shop that was able to adjust one of the bends. I am hoping that I will be able to get it installed sometime this week (or at least check that it fits). Other than that I am waiting on the seats to finish at the upholstery shop, the tires to come in, and getting the time to install the sway bar. AFTER all that the car should be good to drive!

Posted on: 2023/7/10 16:08