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Getting to the end of bringing my 1951 Packard 200 Deluxe back from a 27 year nap. Got all the important things sorted out and the car drives very well. What I have noticed is that after the car warms up it needs to rev up before it drops into gear. Does this in reverse as well as high gear. Transmission full on the dipstick, STP fluid type F. Engine at 375 RPMs idle in gear.
Is there an adjustment to make it go into gear at idle or just above? Thanks again guys for all the help so far. Dan

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Sadly, there is no adjustment that will cure that. When hot, the fluid is thin and is then bypassing in too many worn places to build pressure.

That said, turn up the idle to oh, 450 or so.

A bottle of Lucas Transmission magic juice will often help transmissions that are on the edge as it thickens the fluid.

At age 72, it might just be that the rubber lip seals on the low and reverse servos have had it and are bypassing a lot of fluid. They can be changed after removing the pan and could make a big difference. No drastic teardown is necessary for that. Kanter has them.

As you come up to speed do you notice the torque convertor locking out as it should?

Ross and everyone,

I don't have this problem, but perhaps I will someday. That's a great tip about the servo seals.

Does anyone have any experience with B&M "Trick Shift", would that help in this case? I think it is more designed to help slipping bands or other friction surfaces (if it actually works at all, I understand it's probably just re-marketed Type F), so just wondering if you've had any experience with that stuff.

Cheers and Thanks

Thanks for the reply Ross, Tomorrow I will try the Lucas product and turn up my idle a bit. I can't tell if the converter is locking up as there is no difference from off idle to 70 mph. I assume it is working but no noticeable clunks or noises.
Are reverse and low piston seals (what Kanter calls them) what you mean by servo seals? That will probably be my next project. I'm older than the car so not really looking forward to getting under it again.

The torque converter should engage at ~35mph. On mine I feel the transmission shift, similar to a modern car though more pronounced. You'll hear the engine RPM change as well. It will shift back down to first when you get below 10 mph.

-Kevin

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If you don't feel it then it's probably not working. It's been noticeable in every Packard I've ridden in.

On the twin ultramatics it might be possible for it to lock up quick enough after switching to high gear that it sounds like one long shift, but you're in high gear all the time.

On your transmission IIRC the torque converter will lock up even in low gear, so you could test that also, though I doubt it would be different.

Piston seals, servo seals are one and the same. If your convertor is locking, you will feel it.

Kevin,

I think you mean "unlock" when yo get down to 10 mph?

Or maybe you are talking about experience with a Twin-Ultramatic/Gear-Start, which would actually shift between 1st and 2nd?

Make sure that your transmission is actually full. Attached is a page from the shop manual detailing the proper procedure.

My 53 would read full after sitting for a while but if I check it within a minute of running as described, I was almost two quarts low.

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That being said it is normal for these to run a bit low. It won't hurt to fill it up correctly though.