Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hi All,

Needing some advice!!!!

Unfortunately, my girl requires a rebuild, she currently sounds like an overlocker sewing machine and was having issues changing out of 1st. I've spoken to my mechanic and he can not source any parts in Australia, which I knew would be an issue, but he also suggested that I put in a small block chev and gearbox as a replacement, as apparently it will be a better product and will be overall easier. I would like to keep her as original as possible, but ....... would it be better to do the swap, time and $$$ wise or is there someone who knows someone who can help me out

What fluid are running? People had had issues with more modern gear oils.

I know Ross reported at one time draining the fluid, and refilling with GL1 90 (Mineral Oil) fixed a transmission that he was sure needed a rebuild.

Some where here is his post where he describes also slowly moving through the gears to "wipe" the old fluid off the bits.

Also, since you are saying gear box, I'm assuming you are referring to a manual transmission.

Jazz,

First of all, you CAN get parts in Australia. It's just that your mechanic does not know the Packard vendors.

It was my understanding that that car was in good mechanical condition. So what symptoms developed? There's 2 things here, engine and transmission.

These engines tend to be very reliable once they run well. I suspect you are running it either on too low of an octane, or the oil pump is giving you problems. Too low octane will cause pinging, and poor oil pressure or quality will cause noisy tappets which is more the sound you are describing. If this is the case, installing the Oldsmobile oil pump conversion is all that is required.

On your trans, you have the push button transmission. So I need to know how you are going into gear. Were you hitting D and the transmission did not want to upshift? It possible the motor linkage is a bit out of adjustment and you actually went into Low. Did you try driving in H?

First thing to fix is the engine issues. Make sure you are running it on high octane fuel. Then, if you have noisy tappets, you need to just replace the oil pump with that conversion.

What is somewhat alarming to me is that your mechanic is suggesting rebuilds/swaps without even properly troubleshooting your issues. I would suggest finding a different mechanic that can tell you what is ACTUALLY wrong with your engine, and we can help you from there. Once the engine is good, we can figure out the transmission.

I would call up shops specializing in classic cars saying along the lines of:
"Hi, I have a 56 Packard. The engine is making a noise that sounds like...

"I can source whatever parts are needed for it, I just need it diagnosed properly, then I can get you what's needed for the repair and I have a service manual you can use."

You could even direct them here if you want... the V8 engines are obscure to most people but very common in Packard-land.

Eventually you will find one that can work on it. The engines especially are very typical of the time. The Ultramatics not so, so it's best if we get the engine happy, then we can troubleshoot the transmission problem.

P.S. Have you joined the Packard club and the Australia chapter? That's who would know what shops to use. Not sure there's any Ultramatic specialists over there but surely there's more V8 engine cars that have needed work in the past.

P.P.S. Kev gave good advice, for a MANUAL transmission. (Since you called it a gearbox in the title of your post, that implies it's a manual.) Anyway, please do NOT flush it with gear oil... that's all... FYI your Ultramatic needs Type F fluid. But the fluid in it is likely still good.

Good advice thus far. Finding another mechanic is easier said than done, but since your current man has no interest in actually diagnosing the problem, say goodbye.

Since installing the Oldsmobile oil pump usually solves the problem of ticking lifters at idle and it's necessary to remove the oil pan for this, begin the diagnosis there.

With the oil pan removed, remove the center main bearing cap. If the lower bearing half still has good babbit, the rest of the engine is usually still good also. If the babbit is mostly gone and copper showing through, then a more thorough inspection is necessary to determine if a rebuild is necessary.

And yes, the membership here can assist your next mechanic in finding any and all parts, should a rebuild be found necessary.

jack vines