Packard Forum Index » Project Blogs

'tis the season for Ultramatic work!

Yes John, I'll get quite a few pics uploaded as I get on with the project. Much of what I will post will be stuff that others have blogged on over the years, but what the heck! Those blogs have been tremendously helpful to me, and you never know when you might mention something that has been somehow overlooked.

Just finding a photo that shows how thick the lining should be on an Ultramatic brake band was helpful when I was researching!

I always wish I had more time to read loads more on this site than I get to.

Yes - I'm hoping it will also be the time to be jolly while we're doing them!

Torque Converter Overhaul

Started this some weeks ago, so I'm doing the catch-up blog thing for a few posts.

Because I suspect some of the tranny leaks I have are from the torque converter, the first stage will be to recon a spare one complete with spare bell housing that was attached to it. Both are very dirty condition and I've already noticed one of the drain plugs is snapped off flush with the housing. Will need to remove that and find a new plug.


Good brass plug
[img width=350]<a href="http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Larry51_2009/media/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000776_zpse82ut08r.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz218/Larry51_2009/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000776_zpse82ut08r.jpg" border="0" alt="776 photo P1000776_zpse82ut08r.jpg"/></a>[/img]


The broken one - damn! Wasn't all that easy to get it out cleanly, took a few hours
[img width=350]<a href="http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Larry51_2009/media/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000777_zpsnkeqtv7p.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz218/Larry51_2009/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000777_zpsnkeqtv7p.jpg" border="0" alt="777 photo P1000777_zpsnkeqtv7p.jpg"/></a>[/img]

No idea what condition the guts of the converter will be like but I have new seal and bushing for it.

Reading the manual I need to check the converter shaft backlash so adapted a dial indicator to a small tool holder which worked OK. Normally you might use the special micrometer the Manual recommends IF you can find one! (Someone on packardinfo has one of these). I'll settle for the alternative method.

Dial Indicator method can replace the Packard special tool
[img width=350]<a href="http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Larry51_2009/media/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000799_zpsepwturep.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz218/Larry51_2009/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000799_zpsepwturep.jpg" border="0" alt="779 photo P1000799_zpsepwturep.jpg"/></a>[/img]


[img align=left width=350]<a href="http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Larry51_2009/media/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000765_zpsktpmurvu.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz218/Larry51_2009/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000765_zpsktpmurvu.jpg" border="0" alt="765 photo P1000765_zpsktpmurvu.jpg"/></a>[/img]

The backlash was just within limits. I don't have any thrust spacers other than the one fitted so that was fortunate.

I've been wondering what conditions can alter the backlash reading - whether it might change with wear, or is a manufacturing issue, or if swapping certain parts in the converter would alter it??

Maybe someone knows the answer, as I couldn't easily figure that out, and it would be very handy to know the answer!

Next, undid the converter pump cap bolts after noting that there were two punch marks adjacent for alignment.

Existing punch marks





The interior of the converter looks clean, with red ATF (- not much black ATF anywhere) and no debris present. Inspected everything for cracks, scoring etc and was OK.


EDIT: Well, I'm having no luck adding my images today . . . . the blog goes off to 'never-never land' when I add one. Maybe the images are too large?? (No - 640x480, around 150KB)
So I'll try again later when the Server has had it's afternoon nap. Apologies for the partial blog.

Have asked BigKev for help with this problem which won't go away.


P781





5


6

Noted the thrust washer orientation

P7999

P801

Marked relative position of clutch plate to housing, as advised by Manual. These units are balanced at the factory so it's important to do these markings.

P806

Inspected the bell housing bushing and oil seal. Some wear and markings on the bushing so it will be replaced as will the seal.
P811

Measured the piston ring gaps as per the Manual and found they were both worn beyond spec so will replace them.

P812

Drilled out the broken brass drain plug from the converter clutch housing with a drill bit a tad smaller than the plug. Fingers crossed this will work. Scratched the remains of the brass thread out as much as possible with some riffler files. I re-tapped the 1/8 inch NPT (tapered) thread as closely as possible and a new NPT Allen (hex key) plug fitted OK. Swapped the other side brass plug for a similar Allen plug to keep the balance the same. I will use thread tape on these as a precaution.

P851, 869

Righto - this is a test page to see why I can't add images to my blog . . . .

Now trying to upload an image . . . . . .

[img width=350]<a href="http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Larry51_2009/media/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000781_zpszpvvtyaz.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz218/Larry51_2009/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000781_zpszpvvtyaz.jpg" border="0" alt="781 photo P1000781_zpszpvvtyaz.jpg"/></a>[/img]

Well . . . WHADDAYA KNOW . . . it WORKED!

I'll try another Maybe It will work again.

[img width=350]<a href="http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Larry51_2009/media/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000785_zpsh012gihg.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz218/Larry51_2009/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000785_zpsh012gihg.jpg" border="0" alt="785 photo P1000785_zpsh012gihg.jpg"/></a>[/img]

ok . . . ruling a line under that frustrating episode, Now I'll continue if it lets me. I can't edit what I wrote before so here we go again:

----------------------------------------------------------

The interior of the converter looks clean, red ATF and no debris present. Inspected everything for cracks, scoring etc and was OK.

Noted the thrust washer orientation in regard to the brass surface versus the bright steel surface (see photo in post #284 above).

There is wear on the splines of the reactor shaft. I don't have a better one so hoping this is acceptable and won't cause a problem
[img width=350]<a href="http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Larry51_2009/media/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000786_zpstyjjnrsk.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz218/Larry51_2009/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000786_zpstyjjnrsk.jpg" border="0" alt="786 photo P1000786_zpstyjjnrsk.jpg"/></a>[/img]

Direct Drive clutch fixed and driven plates, with old friction plate in place. There were two versions could appear in a 24th Series Ultramatic- an 11-1/4inch (this one) and a 9-inch clutch. A few parts were different. More about that below
[img width=350]<a href="http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Larry51_2009/media/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000801_zpsgsa396rf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz218/Larry51_2009/Packard%20Project/Ultramatic%20Overhaul/P1000801_zpsgsa396rf.jpg" border="0" alt="801 photo P1000801_zpsgsa396rf.jpg"/></a>[/img]

I would advise any person doing an Ultramatic overhaul to really go through the Parts Listing carefully to become acquainted with the different types of Ultramatic used in their models.

I was unsure of what had been used originally in mine, and what might have been swapped in or out. Also, there were many service changes. The Parts Listing does a good job of stating what part numbers go together with others for (say) a 9inch clutch versus an 11-1/4inch clutch. Likewise the matching of parts in the six plate and 5 plate clutch. You could possibly find a six-plate clutch in a 24th series Ultramatic (- like I have just done) if someone has swapped an Ultra from a 300 Series or 400 Series 1951/2/3 car into a 200 Series Packard.

This spare I'm working on must have come from a Senior model, or Hearse, or Ambulance maybe. Mine is almost certainly from a 300 because I have a few pieces of 300 trim amongst my parts. I found also that the six-plater was standard issue in the '250' Sports car and Convertible, and also would come with a '200' if that 200-series was fitted with the optional 300 engine instead of the standard 288 ci engine.

All handy to know stuff.

I seem to recall seeing a document that gave Ultramatic Serial Number (etc) data, and which might have specified the S/Number of the Ultramatic that first came out with the 9inch clutch. It was very early 25th Series (1952) if I recollect the info from the Service Counsellor that describes the change. Did some 24th series cars have Ultramatics with the 9inch clutch also?

Marked relative position of clutch plate to housing, as advised by Manual.

GROUNDHOG DAY. Once again, cannot load any more images. System lets me upload 4 or maybe 5 then no more. Will await a fix, or if the problem remains maybe I'll do a series of "Short Stories", with 4 or 5 images in each one.

What fun hey!

Test image post. Check your email for what I found out:

Thanks BigKev. I'm away for two weeks working so it might be a while before I get started on my posts again. Will try blogging again next chance I get.

Quote:

Larry, take all the time you need.

The link to this video was posted on the PAC Website by Let the ride decide, but somehow I think this Blog is just perfect for it!