Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

All my pretty toys

For those who asked about U-joint part numbers; I used Carquest part # 210-0153 it fit fine. The Precision # is 369. They also fit lots of years of Chevy. I used matching rebuilt clutch parts, but most were from GM. The, now Carquest store, has decades of history and the manager salvaged all the old parts catalogs from the trash. The contemporary list of clutches showed that 10", 10.5" and 11" clutches were used in 54, but 55 only used 11". The one I removed the first time was 10.5" and those parts were rebuilt. It was never satisfactory so I replaced it with a heavy duty pressure plate. That one survived about two years. I did not notice, when I installed it I still had the 10.5" plate. I am now all 11" with heavy springs. The only thing missing now is the ambition to lay on my back on a 100 deg day and fight the transmission in.

Will report the results, Tom

It can be done

One person with two floor jacks can replace a Packard clutch. Observation; if you ask your wife for help, teach her how to drive a floor jack BEFORE it is holding up a 200lb transmission and OD. Tomorrow, the rear mount, shift linkage and driveshaft. 90wt gear lube was voted in and will be added. Is anyone making replacement rubber shift rod couplers? Mine work but don't look pretty. I plan to drive it to the American Legion stake dinner tomorrow.
It's still fun, Tom