Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Hello Fellow Packard owners!
Recently, while servicing the chassis on the 54 Super Clipper, I noticed the passenger side housing of the differential, along with the shock and backing plate of Brakes was wet. After further investigation I discovered that there was a later, hairline crack the started under the outboard u clamp that mounts to the spring and ran along and up towards the pumpkin. Approximately 12" in length, it is a very fine crack. I have attached a picture with the crack highlighted with chalk.
My question is, was the differential housing the same from 1952, across the models offered in that year? I have located 2 choices, one is off a Patrician, the other I believe is off a 300, both 1952. Your input would be greatly appreciated.

With best regards,
Mark Zimmer

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  54 Packard Rear end.jpg (556.95 KB)

The 1948-1954 Parts Book listed in the Literature Archive or the database version listed under Factory Parts List should help sort out what fits what but if you’re talking about just the housing I believe they are the same. I have never seen one cracked like that, though, so maybe see if you can spot anything amiss or out of kilter that might have strained it.

The gear ratio of the pumpkin is likely different and the brakes may be 11” on the Clipper or even if 12” they may be narrower but having said that, I have found that many parts for 1954 have different part numbers than do their earlier counterparts in spite no visible difference. I just put a complete 4.7 1954 rear end into my 1951 Henney-Packard and it too has a different number but I see nothing different whatsoever externally.

For these types of questions it will be much easier if you consult the parts book first to know what you actually need:packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/parts ... PlateNumber=112&cat=25#resultanchor

We can see that if you have 12" brakes, then it's interchangeable with the '54 Cavalier, Patrician, limousines, Pacific, and Caribbean; and the '53 Clippers and Deluxes in addition to the same list for '53:packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/parts ... &SearchValue=446131&ButtonLookup=Go

If you have the 11", then it will interchange with only the '54 Clipper Specials and Deluxes, but also all '55 Clippers:packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/parts ... &SearchValue=446852&ButtonLookup=Go

So forget about the 53's unless you want to swap the whole rear end (which you would want to service first if it's from some parts car). Where are you located?

P.S. You can swap pretty much any rear end between a 40's thru 55 car if you want to, if you also bring along enough parts including rear brakes. But these are the drop in replacements.

P.P.S. Where did I get these number references? From Model Information.
packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/model ... php?mode=year&id=1954&ButtonYear=Go
packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/model ... php?mode=year&id=1953&ButtonYear=Go

That one is truly interesting!
May be any easy weld, redo the seals, paint & so forth while at it.