Re: 1955 400 Manual Transmission Conversion
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Home away from home
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The drive shafts are different beween ultramatic and standard or at least the u joints are. I did a mass swap out on my conversion. Had the rear end rebuilt and swapped it out, swapped drive shaft and had it rebuilt and balanced using new type u joints with zerk fittings, had the friction plate relined, rebuilt the pressure plate, new throw out bearing etc. Even swapped out the shift quadrant on the dash to the dummy plate used on the od trans. I suggest you use the 11 inch clutch used in the Custom or 400 as compared to the 10 1/2 used in the Super and Delux.
Since you have a 400, the extra 1/2 might be a good idea. I was lucky, my donor was a Custom. I have the 372 56 engine in my Panama. The conversion went pretty smooth. Only glitch was I was missing some linkage which I made from threaded rods. It was a very worth while conversion.
Posted on: 2010/8/3 13:02
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Re: 1955 400 Manual Transmission Conversion
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Just popping in
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I have a '56 Clipper parts car with 3 speed, no overdrive. I also have the driveshaft for a senior car needs u-joints but everything you would need for a conversion. Also have spare tranny. I had planned to convert a '56 Patrician but health issues have come up. I'll be having surgery tomorrow but if you are interested, we can talk soon.
Posted on: 2010/8/3 14:30
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Re: 1955 400 Manual Transmission Conversion
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Forum Ambassador
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Quote:
WilliamCraig wrote:......I'll be having surgery tomorrow......... All the best for your surgery and a quick recovery. And ![]()
Posted on: 2010/8/3 16:00
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Mal
/o[]o\ ==== ![]() Bowral, Southern Highlands of NSW, Australia "Out of chaos comes order" - Nietzsche. 1938 Eight Touring Sedan - SOLD 1941 One-Twenty Club Coupe - SOLD 1948 Super Eight Limo, chassis RHD - SOLD 1950 Eight Touring Sedan - SOLD What's this? ![]() Put your Packard in the Packard Vehicle Registry! Here's how! Any questions - PM or email me at ozstatman@gmail.com |
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Re: 1955 400 Manual Transmission Conversion
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Just popping in
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The '56 juniors used the same (3.54) ratio for plain 3-speed or O/D, same as the '55 and'56 senior TU.
Posted on: 2010/8/3 16:06
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Re: 1955 400 Manual Transmission Conversion
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Forum Ambassador
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WilliamCraig,
They're coming thick and fast! ![]()
Posted on: 2010/8/3 16:28
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Mal
/o[]o\ ==== ![]() Bowral, Southern Highlands of NSW, Australia "Out of chaos comes order" - Nietzsche. 1938 Eight Touring Sedan - SOLD 1941 One-Twenty Club Coupe - SOLD 1948 Super Eight Limo, chassis RHD - SOLD 1950 Eight Touring Sedan - SOLD What's this? ![]() Put your Packard in the Packard Vehicle Registry! Here's how! Any questions - PM or email me at ozstatman@gmail.com |
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Re: 1955 400 Manual Transmission Conversion
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Not too shy to talk
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WilliamCraig, thanks for the info. Pm sent.
I will be working on the car again tomorrow. I want to get pictures of it with the heads off. Next week I'll work on getting it added to the registry. I'll have to ask grandpa about its history. I do not think that it was owned by anyone famous, but you never know. Three intake valves are bad. The heads need cleaned and the valves re-seated, but they are pretty good overall. Purchased all new gaskets and a new timing chain/sprocket set. I hope to get the engine all back together and running before winter, but things are really busy. If all goes as planned, I may have a TU unit for sale. Grandpa says it works fine (he drove the car into his barn some 30 years ago), but its current condition is unknown. Josh
Posted on: 2010/8/4 1:39
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Re: 1955 400 Manual Transmission Conversion
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Forum Ambassador
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Posted on: 2010/8/7 6:27
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Mal
/o[]o\ ==== ![]() Bowral, Southern Highlands of NSW, Australia "Out of chaos comes order" - Nietzsche. 1938 Eight Touring Sedan - SOLD 1941 One-Twenty Club Coupe - SOLD 1948 Super Eight Limo, chassis RHD - SOLD 1950 Eight Touring Sedan - SOLD What's this? ![]() Put your Packard in the Packard Vehicle Registry! Here's how! Any questions - PM or email me at ozstatman@gmail.com |
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Re: 1955 400 Manual Transmission Conversion
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Home away from home
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I used to be a member of the anti-automatic crowd until I took factory authorized transmission training. Today I only prefer a manual shift in older vehicles using a good old American three speed or where the transmission is a total slushbox.
I have driven an unusually good ultramatic that was working properly and thought it compared favorably to the same era Powerglide. It had no trouble pulling a 1932 Cadillac V-12 up a steep hill. However, a good TU isn't a slouch. In fact, if the numbers I have are correct, the TU is a little over one second slower to 60mph and in the quarter mile than the 61 Chevy with 348ci and Turboglide. Granted the Ultramatic requires a knowledgable rebuilder, but for performance the 727 TorqueFlite will outperform a standard shift even when being handled by a professional. This is not dogma but based on the results of Michigan and California State Police training course testing.
Posted on: 2010/8/7 17:06
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Re: 1955 400 Manual Transmission Conversion
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Not too shy to talk
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Tim, I know ghat the Ultramatic was a great transmission--possibly the best of it's time. Still, I prefer a manual. At's just a preference.
WilliamCraig, what is the best way to get in touch with you?
Posted on: 2010/8/8 20:29
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