Hi:

My brother called the other day. He lives in Western North Carolina. He said he saw a 50's Packard pickup truck in a recent car show. I told him that Packard did not make pickups in the 1950's. But he insisted it was a Packard.

Then a light went on in my head. I remember reading about Ross (on this board). I found a hemmings article about him. It said he takes rundown 50's Packards and turns them into Pickup trucks. The article goes on to say that he does this for customers. Stating he actually built around 12 of them. I found some pictures and they are works of art.

I called my brother and sent him the hemmings article. I bet the one he saw at the car show was one of Ross's creations. I wonder if he still converts these? I bet the 55 & 56 would make the best candidate. With the Leveling Suspension.

Thanks

Hi Guys:

Sorry to resurrect this old post. But I to am interested in the Electro Boost from ABS. But cannot seem to find anyone that has used it, except Jed here.

I recently contacted ABS. Their representative told me it has to be used with a 4:1 pedal ratio. So I got no support here. I'm curious how you made this work with a 1:1 ratio. In the original Hydrovac position?

My installation would be on a 54. But I would think the, under floor plate, mounting would be similar.

thanks

I probably should have read the recent posts. In the post titled "1953 Packard 8 cyl timing", Owen clarifies this by stating the ports for the vacuum advance are above the throttle plates. This makes it ported vacuum and answers my question.

This is a hot topic over at the Studebaker board. With about a 50/50 split. Owen and Ross's description make it a no brainer.

Thanks Guys

Is the 359 with Carter WCFB ported or non ported vacuum to the vacuum advance?

Thanks

Thanks Brian, I forgot service manuals were available on this board. Nice feature. Anyway I find my found my service manual. And you're right the section is short and sweet and describes everything. Sorry I should've done that first.

But I just love!! Yankee ingenuity tips. You generally don't get those from the service manual. One of the best, on another subject, I think was Ross's suggestion. On how to remove the seals from the throttle and selector shafts. With the transmission still in the car. Wow, who Would have thought to drill a small hole in the Seal face and use a sheet metal screw to Pry it out. Regretfully, I didn't use that tip. Because I also needed a front seal. So I dropped the tranny. At 69 years of age, I just love tips like that.

Thank
Warren

Oh thanks a lot Owen!! You just made up a perplexing job much easier. I thought the pin was in the kit I needed to be replaced also.

I do have a packard 51 to 54 service manual kicking around someplace. But as usual, you can't find it when you need it.

Thanks again

Hi all.

I have the Ultramatic out of the car to do some resealing. I figured I'd look at the front universal joint. Upon disassembly I found some flat spots on the needles. So I assumed this unit will unit Will need a rebuild. I'm glad I did this as there always was a little vibration in the driveline of this car. I assume, caused by the flat needles.

Is this something that I can do? Or do I need to take it to a shop? As the pin appears to be pressed into the ball Quite tightly.

upon reassembly, what's the procedure for pressing the pin into the ball equally. So that there is no run out. I would think the slightest bit of run out here, would cause vibration. Is A ruler sufficient here? or do I need a micrometer?

I know this procedure is probably documented someplace, but I can't find it. So I'm sorry if This topic is redundant.

As always thanks again

My dipstick is under the floor so I know I have an older ultramatic now. Hey big kev, Is the pan swap possible I would love to have a dipstick in the engine compartment.

Thanks

Thanks Owen:

I didn't know there were special parts just for the gear start. That's good advice I'll stick with the older ultramatic. It probably would be cost prohibitive to rebuild one of these things. And bring it up to 1956 standards.

Hi:

I think, at some time, my Pacific had a Gear Start transmission. The reason being, the gear selector indicator had that extra digit, associated with the gear start. The transmission in there now is a standard Ultramatic painted copper. So I assume, at some time in it's life, the gear start was removed and a older Ultramatic was installed.

Reason for this post, I am starting to have some transmission problems, requiring it's removal. what do you guys think of going back to the Gear Start (provided I can find one) , or repairing the Ultramatic?

Have the original problems been addressed with the 1956 upgrades and newer rebuilding kits? Or is this transmission still trouble and best left alone?

Thanks