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

If this:

The lever not moving issue is frequently caused by lack of lubrication on the shift levers in the engine compt at the bottom of the steering column. The top 2-3 lever in particular gets no lube and also gets condensed moisture running down the shift tube causing it to rust or corrode to the shift tube.

Try this:

Had a similar issue on my 48, there is an oil hole on the steering column in the shifter area (engine compartment). I stuck the little plastic tube on a can of PB Blaster in this hole and sprayed the area well, seemed to loosen the shifting for me.

I agree with Jim, short of some part breaking and jamming suddenly, the shifter was stuck when I got the '49, it sat outside for at least 5 years, and the steering column tube was all rusted/seized inside. I had to disassemble and clean/lube. Worked fine afterward.
I know the open hole in the bottom was for oil but didn't seem to get any, but also lets moisture in (poor design - should be a zerk or cap/plug.)
Not saying it can't be something else, but this is a common malady with this era column design. If I recall, you can exercise the shift levers from below to check them. Not sure if I disconnected them, but I did that to see if the trans was froze.
I would guess it's not used very frequently and that's when things creep up, no exercise.

Thanks! I’ve always been interested in these old cars.

A few drops of oil in the hole does a bit of good as any oil thru there runs down and a portion runs out the slots in the tube where the selector tongue exits and lubes the lower R-1 lever. An excessive amount just runs out the end of the shift tube. The upper 2-3 lever is where the trouble usually begins and does not get any benefit of oil thru the hole. It needs a few drops between the lever and upper retaining clip and washer so it can run down in the space between the tube and lever where the rust and corrosion accumulates.

Hello all and thank you so much for the help.
I have figured out and fixed the issue. It turned out to be the scenario in which it was trying to select two gears it once. With a simple push of an arm I was able to fix it. Once again thank you all for the help and I’ll probably be needing more In the future. It’s nice to know that I can count on y’all.

Packard transmissions and linkages do take a bit of finesse and deliberation when shifting to prevent just that problem. It is important to go thru the steps and not just slam hard when going from one gear to another. There is also a possibility of wear, damage, or looseness in the interlock block or mechanism inside the transmisson. If the problem keeps happening I would suggest giving that section a look.

As I recall, the interlock part of the block is a close tolerance rod with rounded ends which slides in a hole in the block. Opposite the rod ends is a detented area or half hole in each lever at the neutral position. A solid ramp leads to the detent on each side. As soon as one lever moves out of neutral the ramp part of the lever forces the pin to the opposite side of the block so that end of the rod will enter the detent in the other lever and prevent it from moving. For both levers to move at once I would suspect the rod or a detent is very worn or the bolt holding the entire block has managed to work loose and bock moves with the levers. The bolt working loose was a known issue more so in earlier cars that had a smaller bolt but still possible on the later units.

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Glad that you got it sorted out and that it was (relatively) simple and inexpensive.


My transmission odyssey is taking some interesting turns.