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

You have a Standard Ultra, so there is no automatic Low > High (Convertor) shift. Only the Gearstarts (late 54) and Twin-Ultras (55-56) do that.

You have a low gear. Which if it isn't engaging, I would think a band adjustment is needed. But if the indicator is in high this is the order of "shift" event.

Stop > Convertor (High) > Lockup

The Gearstarts and Twin-Ultra have two driving positions as such the "Events" are as follows:

* (DOT/High): Stop > Convertor > Lockup

or

D (Drive): Stop > Low Gear> Convertor (High)> Lockup

53packar, Let me take a shot at an explanation.

Yes, in a sense the transmission is "shiftless" in that what many perceive as a shift is the direct drive clutch engaging. This occurs in both Low and High ranges. But in Low range and band applies to stop the rotation of the planetary drum, thus forcing the planet gears to provide a reduction in output gear ratio. So, no band application, no Low,

YEAH!
That thing is cute! SLED material? It's already got the paint job and WWs.

I'll go with Howard concerning low: try a band adjustment first; loosen the locknut on the forward adjuster and hold it still while tightening the adjuster to 20 ft lbs. Back off the adjusting screw 1 3/4 turn and tighten the locknut. If the adjuster just keeps turning farther and farther into the case, then one of the band struts has fallen out or something else is busted.

If one of the struts has fallen out you will find it laying on top of the valve body once you take the pan off. That said, I have never seen one fall off unless something else was seriously wrong, like the band lining was all gone.

If the band adjusts up properly and you still have no low, then the next easiest step is to check the seals on the servo that operates it. This can be done by removing the pan then the 4 bolts and one screw that hold the forward servo and yanking the piston out. Do not remove the valve body, just the servo. Often times at this late date the servo seals are fossilized as hard as Nancy Pelosi's smile and no longer retain pressure. They are available from the Packard vendors.

Awesome guys thank you for the impute! I'll check out the band adjustment and post the results when I can.