Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Simple solution to both problems and many others. If your Packard of any year is not a top performer and needs more repairs and attention, if your 50-54 Ultramatic has to go on a lift to check the fluid level, if your Treadle Vac fails after 20 years of neglect and if your straight 8 needs a valve job after 40,000 miles the most important thing you can do is buy a new Lexus. They never break but you can't find yours in a parking lot

I agree with TroyT. Mine was rebuilt in '92 and I have driven all over the country in it. My odometer read 72K when I started and reads 8K now. I've been to Detroit twice, the finger Lakes region of NY, Virginia, and Maryland. I do prefer originality. I might enjoy fuel injection though

I have 1k or so on my reengineered ultra. I would still get off the babbit bushings

My only problem is when cold does not fully go into gear..as long as i warm it up no problem.

But its shifts firm .and sometimes smooth..i like the firm so you know it up shifted..still playing with t pressure. Once in awhile i will get flare. I have read the service letters on it.

Of coarse if ross drove it. He would pin it down..,

I live on a foothill so i have to go und down hills.

Whatever you do DO NOT SEND your treadle vac to White Post-get it to Ross Miller, after white post mickey-moused mine I had him rebuild it and haven't had a problem since.

WauhopM, what was the problem with White Post, I sent them all my brake cylinders and master cylinder and they came back looking like new and with a fast turn around. But this was a standard single brake system.
Wes

Quote:

Troy, agree completely. The TU is only reliable if driven gently. To my shame, I destroyed my first one at age 16, in my parents '56 Hudson Hornet, but then, it was the most unfortunately styled car ever built and too ugly to live, anyway.

I build Packard V8s for many '56 Studebaker Golden Hawks. They're a performance car, but only for a little while. When new and driven like the sports car they were sold as, the TU usually failed before the engine dropped a valve.

Today, we know to use hardened valve spring retainers to make the engine live, but AFAIK, there's no known way to make the TU live when driven sportingly.

jack vines

Well white post snagged me with the LIFETIME WARRANTY and I sent my unit to them-after I had the twin Ultra replaced with the 700r the brakes failed-so I sent it back to them. They sent it back to me and I asked them what went wrong with the unit-THEY COULDN'T TELL ME, Then as a Christmas gift to myself I had my regular mechanic install four new brake shoes on the car-The car accelerated the pedal went to the floor and a large amount of smoke came out of my tailpipe-luckily I was able to shift into neutral and stop the car on the parking brake. Then I wizened up and took the unit to Ross Miller he identified THREE MAJOR PROBLEMS with the unit when he rebuilt it I havent had a problem since. THE MORAL IS TRUST ME DO NOT SEND THE TREADLE VAC TO WHITE POST!!!!!!!

WauhopM, Understandable. I don't like surprises and lack of information doesn't help.
Wes

We just had our '56 Patrician return home from Ross Miller's Speedwell Garage after a full Twin Ultramatic rebuild. Needless to say, we are EXTREMELY pleased with Ross' work! The old girl shifts smartly and positively.
Ros is THE MAN when it comes to things of this nature!

No argument there-Ross is the best!