Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I recently acquired a '55 Caribbean. It came with a new battery and had the negative side connected to ground. I see in the specification section for 1955s, which does not have a model category for the Caribbean (5588), that the 3 listed (5540, 5560, & 5580) all have a positive ground.

What should the ground be on a 5588?

Thanks

All 1955 Packards are positive ground.

Walt

If you change it back to stock don't forget to repolarize the generator. If it was accidental probably nothing else to check. If the neg ground was done on purpose the ammeter and coil polarity may have been reversed to function properly and each may need to have their wires swapped around. If the radio vibrator was replaced at some point using a solid state repro those are polarity specific.

I noticed that when we first got the car (last Saturday) that the car's charge on the gauge seemed very anemic and if anything went the wrong way. Since this initial post, I've turned on the headlights and when doing so the needle goes into the charge.

o it is also certain that some mechanic remove the old battery, dropped in a new one and just assumed it was a negative ground. I'll check out the regulator and verify that it is setup for a positive ground and then switch the cables on the battery making the car a positive ground and then repolarize the generator.

I posted the car on the site's registry right after I got the car. To see it and to discover a little about it, just click on "Baby" in my signature.

Thanks for your inputs.

P.S. I verified that the wiring was correct for a + ground and reconnected the battery for a + ground. Car had a good strong charge going when I reved the engine slightly.

Thanks Again to All