Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

The 55 field kit install instructions are on the site literature page if you don't already have it. Item 43 in Service, Shop and Training Manual category.

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Thanks much. I originally had a set of field instructions for factory A/C in a booklet, but after looking and looking I just can't find them. Suspect I may have left them in one of my Packards that were stolen years ago.

Will take a look at the item you mention. Thanks again.

Here are some from the last PAC meet
And you can see there was a 55 and 56 a/c.

Don't forget the service technical bulletins
Especially this one.
packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/STB/55T-45.pdf

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I believe all the major or hard components stayed the same for both years. Apparently the humming or vibrating sound emanating from the compressor piston pulses the bulletin details, because of the hard tubing, was being transmitted to the evaporator and thus the passenger area on some of the 55s. For 56 Packard changed to hoses which was less likely to transmit vibration and I have to believe an added benefit was hoses might have been cheaper to make than all the bending and soldering used on the 55 tubing. They also added a muffler in the pressure side for added control of the noise problem and issued the kit with those changes as mentioned in the Nov 55 bulletin for retrofit to 55s if warranted.

Not sure why they both have unpainted heads.

Don't see many having the vent script "modern air" painted in gold much either.

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Leeedy, I have been curious about the "Modern Aire" designation which I do not ever recall seeing referenced in Packard literature. Do you know if it was a Packard trademark like Torsion Level or Easamatic or any of the others and for some reason was not promoted or was it a name that was maybe of a vendor where the outlets were obtained?

Photos from my 1956 400.

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Yes, "Modern Aire" painted in gold is something I have noticed on several original A/C cars. I asked about this back in the 1970s when there were people still alive who remembered it.

The original plan was to have the vent assemblies painted as they were made (well ahead of the vehicle) but then schedules and other issues got out of hand. Problem is that these vents ended up being painted at Conner and it got to the point where nobody had the time or facility to do the fine gold highlighting on the letter embossing. Sadly, this and the body logos for torsion-level suspension went by the wayside as a result. There will be a bit more on this in the upcoming article I'm working on now for The Packard Cormorant magazine..

Thanks again. Keep the photos coming!