Packard Forum Index » General

Quote:

Nope. Packard made their own transmissions through the 1954 models, but used BW overdrives in back of them. All of the Packard-built transmissions were top loaders.

(o[]o)

My information was meant to be for overdrives. Sorry for the confusion. I guess I'm using the term top loader incorrectly. My understanding was that "top loader" referred to the floor shift system and didn't include the side shift.

Adapting a Packard transmission to a 283 Chevy. Well, the short answer is I do not know. Now, since this is a free forum on the internet where everything is true, I would still speculate not without its own set of headaches. I think a quick measurement from pilot bushing to trans face should give a clue. Could it be adapted. Probably - hopefully some more knowledgeable expurts will chime in with hands on experience.
Oh, and what do you have for a top for this transmission?

49packard,

I apologize for misunderstanding your posting.

The Packard-built transmissions with column shift were also "top loaders". This design necessitated a complicated shift linkage arrangement utilizing idler arms to change the direction of motion from the column shift lever to the levers on the transmission so the conventional shifting pattern could be maintained.

Some have adapted floor shift tops (pre-1939 Junior type) to column shift transmissions. They both fasten to the top of the transmission.

I believe the Packard transmission you have will fit your SBC engine without major modifications. Flackmaster's advice is a good first step. Packard transmissions were popular with hot rodders because of their strength. What is the SBC going into?

(o[]o)

Here are photos of the top shifter.

I am hoping that I can get a model number so I can order a rebuild kit, but don't want to just buy a generic kit.

I am planning on putting this transmission with a SBC 283 into a 1951 Willy's Station Wagon. The engine came from a 61 Willy PickUp that was using a BW T90 and Dana 18 case, but that was a 4wd vehicle and the Station wagon is 2wd. The unknown transmission came from the station wagon and the preveious owner thinks it is a packard 409 or 384, but he doesn't remember. I cannot find any information about either of those models from Packard. So I hope you guys can shed more light on the subject and we get this unknown model a real model number.

Thanks!

Attach file:

---

  (85.66 KB)


  (78.94 KB)


  (85.64 KB)


  (69.61 KB)


  (117.51 KB)

Those shift forks appear to be modified- I had to make similar mods to adapt my 38 shifter to work on an R11 OD. Have you tried to shift the tranny with that top on it? It doesn't seem like it would work.