Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hello,
I am new to this website, but have posted on other Packard sites.

My question is about the V8 standard transmission clutch. The parts manual lists 3 different plate assy (3.00) and 6 plate and hub assy (3.005).

How do you tell them apart if you are looking at one?

Why the differences?

Quote:
G'day Let the ride decide,

to Packardinfo and although I can't answer your query there are others who can.
And although I know it's please include your Packard in the Owner Registry together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it.

Can partially answer your questions. Engine HP & Size is the reason for different disks. First listing for 5540 is 10 1/2" diameter clutch disk for smallest HP engine, second listed for 5560 and 56's is 11". I have no published specs for the third listing 55-5680 but since engine size & HP greater still, may also be a size or possibly material change.

The second half 3.005 on complete assy's is purely guess but aside from the obvious listing for size to match the disk, then the difference between OD and non, may be in the weight of the centrifugal arm flyweights. Since the OD engine will turn less rpm for given speed, maybe the weights are a bit larger to keep the additional force on the clutch disk the same as non OD cars at hwy speed. Just a guess, however. Aside from measuring diameter of things, no idea how to tell apart.

Hopefully some of the more enlightened will have a definitive answer.

Learn something every day. Since the T85 manual shift transmissions were so rare on'55-56 V8 Packards, I've never seen one without overdrive. Has anyone else actually seen just a straight 3-speed? I know for sure all the '56 Studebaker GH manuals were overdrive.

thnx, jack vines

A T85 3 speed in a 5687 info.


My car has a T85 3 speed from a 56 clipper in it ---
when I acquired it, it had already had the pushbutton removed and
was converted.

It has an 11 inch pressure plate and clutch (long mfg)

rebuilt ( the cover had cracks in it's plate warped and some broken springs)
it looked like it really took a beating.

a shop replaced that entire assembly with a stronger one
their part numbers are CA1006 11 inch cover; CD0286 11 inch disk and
resurfaced the flywheel.

I found the drive shaft has 56 mercomatic painted on the side of it, i guess it is merc.!!!

Have not gotten the car on the road yet still rebuilding.

maby those numbers will help you

ronv

with overdrive?

thnx, jack vines

this transmission is without overdrive



Ronv

So it sounds like a senior car would have a 11" clutch, and a junior car would have a 10" clutch?

interesting that Packard would go to that much trouble.

Packard did lots of things like that -- overdrives and early Ultramatics for example -- smaller cars had smaller planetary assys in OD and 2 fewer high range clutch disks in Ultra than the larger cars. The clutch plates for senior 55-5680 may have even been larger than the 11".

Jack, I had Ross convert my 1955 Clipper Super sedan to a manual shift 3-speed transmission w/o overdrive. Not sure if the Clipper he cannibalized for the parts was a '55 or '56. With the 3.23 axle ratio, it is a real cruiser.

(o{}o)

I think he also used an 11" clutch.