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I've been having an issue with the '50 Packard 8. Specifically after I shift from first gear into second the motor stalls and I have to re-start the engine. When we first got her home from MT, it was doing the same thing, it turned out that I was giving it full throttle when accelerating and engaging the OD shutout circuit. We quickly learned not to give her full throttle under acceleration.
This time it happens every time I shift from first to second. Do you have any ideas that might help me? I'm kinda embarrassed to ask this in the forums.

Thanks for your help

Others will have better suggestions I'm sure but to totally rule out OD, I'd temporarily disconnect the wire at coil coming from the kickdown switch. If it still does it then look for fuel or idle issues.

If you have an Electroclutch, one other possibility is a massive vacuum leak. If EC is turned on the solenoid allows vacuum to the unit. At shift times when the clutch tried to come in, if something has failed or is disconnected, then a big air surge would result and could lean out the mixture. That would happen at other shift times though so even if you have EC, if you don't have a stall, stumble or issues at any other times than 1-2 shift, probably not the cause.

How can I tell if my car has the electro clutch? It has a button on the dash labeled 'Clutch', I don't think that I have one (I hear they're more trouble than they are worth).

You may have the switch or may be just the knob to fill the hole only. If it doesn't depress or if you don't have the control valve mechanism mounted above the starter motor then you don't have the electroclutch.

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I am new to the Packard world... I have a 50 Packard with a 288 and an ultramatic. I had a stalling problem and cracked intake and exhaust manifolds. My stalling problem corrected itself when changed the manifold. I believe once my vacum was restored that the fuel pump was able to run correctly.

Hope that helps
Brian

G'day 1st Packard,
to the Packard world and PackardInfo. And I invite you to include your '50 Packard in the Packard Owner's Registry here on PackardInfo!

Bob - here is a diagram of the overdrive control. Hope this helps.

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David - Thanks for your help. It was a pleasure to talk to you and Les on the phone. I'll get to work on checking out the wiring, looking for shorts, grounds, etc. when I feel better and it gets a little warmer

1st Packard for including your '50 Eight Touring Sedan in the Packard Owner's Registry. Like the comment about the original owner. Plus I've reposted your pic, it was upside down, and even here down-under we have trouble looking at it like that!

After all these years the chances of a big vacuum leak at the Elecromatic vacuum cylinder are pretty good. I'd simply eliminate the possibility of a vacuum leak in the entire Electromatic system by blocking the vacuum line from the manifold to the control valve with a rubber stopper or something similar inserted inside the line. Do it at the control valve end so the stopper can't be sucked into the intake manifold. If that eliminates the problem, fine; if not, you've eliminated one possibility.