Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hello. I have purchased my first Packard, a 1956 Executive which had been sitting for sometime.I have got the engine running, the T/L and pushbutton shift working but now I need so advice. I would like to tow this car about 40 miles to my home. I have access to a tow dolly localy and I have read in the owners manual that you can tow up to 200 mi but not to go over 30 mph, I would need to go about 45 mph to get her home, would you recomend I pull the driveshaft? Any tricks with the pushbutton shift? Thanks for the help.

Congratulations on your first--The Executive's a very nice choice.

I very much recommend pulling the drive shaft loose from axle and either tying it out of way or remove entirely. Not knowing the condition of ultra, would recommend caution until you're able to thoroughly check it out.

It is also not a good idea to tow these cars front wheels down because the stress to pitman arm in this position has been known to crack them at the steering shaft splines.

As to PB shift, either have ignition on or bypass the auto park relay.

If you want to prevent the PB from going into park when key turned off, disconnect the tan wire from top relay (probably silver with 4 terminals). That will keep it where ever you put if before key turned off. You will have to reconnect before it will go into park again or to bypass auto park totally, then remove the tan and yellow & connect together.

Pull the rear universal and tie the drive shaft up to the frame. That way you don't have to worry about the PB or the Ultramatic. Wrap some tape around the rear universal so you don't lose it. I wouldn't go over 45 mph because these are heavy cars and will push you around a little bit. Double check the tires before you start your haul.
Good luck with your new Packard! And welcome to the forum.

Just trying to be helpful go to U-haul you can rent a 4 wheel trailer for around fifty bucks comes with tie downs and no need to crawl under car to remove drive shaft. They come with the tie downs and a fender that folds to allow opening the door on your car. If car does not drive or run bring a come along to load car onto trailer. Just a suggestion but worked great for me have used them a few times local is easy. one way a little more involved. Takes all the worry about tires brakes and such as the trailer has brakes also safer in my opinion

I agree that a rental trailer (with trailer brakes)is the first choice. Otherwise you must take Randy's advice and drive slow. Don't forget that the tow vehicle's brakes will have to stop the Packard (over 4000 lbs.) and the tow vehicle. Most cars/trucks stopping capacity is designed for that vehicle's weight only. Good luck and be safe.

I agree that the rental trailer is the best! i have towed many a project and parts car with my tow dolly. and while they do work, they have a nasty tendency to cave in the bottoms of the front fenders with the dolly's fenders/wheels if your not SUPER CAREFUL!!!! And a tow dolly is next to impossible to back-up should the need arrise! and they have a problem with the straps not being exactly packard tire size friendly. if you must use the dolly, disconnect the drive line as stated earlier and dive slow and cautiously! also stop often and check your straps!

Is your exec a sedan or hardtop? good luck with her! I miss mine very badly! they are great cars to drive!

Thanks for all the help! I have line up a car trailer and as the car "yard drives" I can drive on to the trailer.Car is a two door. Body is very straight and rust free but the interior needs attention. One last question for now, I have an oil leak from the front seal area and was wondering what the two metal lines that run under the front pulley are? Thanks again, this is the best organised and helpful car forum I have run across!

Those would be the oil lines from transmission to oil cooler. The Packard transmission oil cooler is the flat box like object in the path between water pump and radiator bottom outlet--drivers side of engine on V8's.

Be careful and gentle when working with the radiator hoses. The tubing is notorious for rusting almost to nothing on the oil coolers. Sometimes the radiator hose is about all holding them together.

The original oil seal is a graphited rope arrangement. Those can still be had but to my mind a good machinist can make an adapter to replace the one holding the rope. That way a modern neoprene seal can fit. Had that done on my car.

T'ultra has a REAR pump. So i can not think of any reason why the drive shaft should be removed.

Whith PB, just turn on the ignition sw. select nuetral, and then disconnect a battery cable.

Agreed, but to my mind without a good history on trans something could be amiss and towing would cause more damage. From what I can remember most Packards seemed to be parked when something in trans acted up.