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Hi all,
Was wondering if the gearbox ratios are different than the regular production vehicles. Would they be better built, material wise?
Would overdrive be an option for commercial applications?
Interested in a former hearse transmission from a junior circa 1940ish, sight unseen with unknown history. Was wondering if there was any identification marks, etc. to inquire about.
Thanks a bunch.

The early 1940's hearse transmissions were the same as the equivalent series passenger cars with no difference in gear ratios.
Overdrive was available for the hearse chassis but it is not likely that many were purchased due to the normally slow service speed.

Thank you for the reply.
Where are the cast numbers located on the transmission case?
Do they also cast a date code? How does Packard code their dates?
Just trying to educate myself, before an onsite inspection, as to positive verification. Sometimes sellers do not know what they have.

35-47 the internals on all cars without OD are identical for pass. car and commercial chassis. . On 48-54 commercial cars and limousines the internals differ, both countershaft gear assb. (group 3.215) and reverse idler gear for those cars are not the same as passenger cars. Those items are specially hardened to accommodate for heavier loads but increased brittleness often comes with increased hardness.

We've gone through several sets of hardened gears in our 2313 hearse until we finally put in regular gears. The gears that failed had shattered, little wear was evident. Packard was a master gear builder.

Thanks
James From
Kanter Auto