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

You should not need to prime the converter. As long as the pump is able to pick up and pressurize the fluid, it would automatically be directed to the converter -- unless a valve is stuck or a fluid path is blocked. Did the mechanic open and clean the valve body. If so, Packard issued bulletins cautioning about excess torque on the bolts being an issue that could cause stuck valves.

Here is converter inlet test point.

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David,

I will have to look it up when I get home from work. I hope I still have the information. Do you know Tim Stewart in Austin? Tim comes to Salado, and has a 55 pink Caribbean among other cars. I think he could tell you where it is.

I am quite enjoying the photos posted showing the inner parts of the Ultramatic Trans.

To the point I am wondering if you have a higher resolution version that could be put somewhere on this forum for those of us who have never viewed the inner workings of an Ultramatic.

The posted version are good but I suspect the web site has to scale these in a post situation.

I have no personal desire to remove my ultramatic for show and tell.

Thanks, Jimn

Right now I cannot place Tim Stewart, but might recognize his face. I go to Salado every year with either my 54 or 52, subject of this post. I am crushing days to get the 52 ready to take. *Transmissions shops in N. Austin from 15 years ago are probably gone. There is Carter's on N. Lamar
that I have used before-once-in the early 90's.

On the valve body I don't know if the transmission rebuilder opened and cleaned that. I feel sure he did. I'll have to ask him when he gets back. Thanks for sending this diagram!!

David, sorry to hear of your Ultramatic problems. Tim Stuart (not Stewart) is listed in the PAC directory.

(o{}o)

Every once in a great while I have had an Ultramatic apparently air lock on the initial startup; by that I mean that the front pump does not pick up the fluid and consequently fill the convertor.

Now that the car has had a chance to sit a while with the fluid level high in the case, the fluid has likely found its way into the front pump and will start pumping through the trans and into the convertor when you start the engine.

If still no luck, then I would have them check the convertor valve for freedom of motion.

I never had a problem like this so I am interested to hear what the cause is.

Anyway, I don't see any reason why you can't pull a vacuum on the lube line and fill the converter. The lube line is the return from the cooler.

Even though manuals don't stipulate filling the converter, I always dump a couple of quarts into them. I suppose if you put trans gel into the oil pump it would produce immediate suction as well.

Thought of another thing: Check for correct assembly of the regulator valve that runs side to side in the bell housing. It is possible to assemble with the spring on the wrong end. Ask me how I know.
This is the valve most easily reached in that there is a plug with a 7/8 head on it on both the right and left side of the bell housing. It can be checked without removing or draining anything. Correct assy is shown in the shop manual.

G'day all, The Ultramatic pre 1955 does not have transfer tubes.