Packard Forum Index » Project Blogs

I think I solved it. I pulled the blue wire from the solenoid and really got it clean. Awkward to reach but it did the trick. It's still a bit borderline, but the "down" solenoid now kicks when it's supposed to and levels the car out. I say "borderline" because one of the tests it didn't work. I may not have tightened the blue wire enough for that. Has worked since.

Time delay is about 5-7 seconds for both directions.

Fingers crossed that it did the trick!

RH thanks for the offer on the solid state controller. If I need it I will let you know.

"Down" on the TL is still intermittent. I will need to check the other blue connections to see what's up. I tightened all the connectors inside the control box previously. May need to pull back the insulation on the limit switch and check the connection.

Had a few minutes today and some dry roads to go for a test drive. Prior to today I had only drive the car a few hundred yards up and down our driveway. I drove about 10 miles and did some 50 mph runs. Here are some observations:
1.) Drive range is funky. Twice it failed to move past low range torque converter to high range. One time it worked fine.
2.) High range works great
3.) No engine flare noted when getting hard on the throttle and changing gears
4.) Accelerator feels stiff and not smooth. I'll lube the linkages and see
5.) Brakes are not good. Shoes squeak like crazy, especially the rear. Stopping power is poor. Full pressure on the pedal doesn't get anywhere near locking wheels up. Check the video to see. I'll need to go through the entire system to see what's up. Pretty sure I have a leak somewhere around the master cylinder.
6.) There is a lot of clunking from the front end over bumps, likely the sway bar bushings
7.) I'm all over the road....can't tell if it's from the old bias ply tires, worn bushings, or a combination of both. It's pretty unpredictable.
8.) During warm up there is a pronounced whine coming from under the car. Sounds like it may be coming from the transmission area. No idea what it is. See video.
9.) Engine temp never got up to the center of the gauge. Measured with a temp gun at various places on the engine. 135 at the rear top. 155 at the top tank of the radiator. Not sure what the history of the cooling system is and if there is a thermostat or not currently installed.
10.) Found a fast dripping leak at the upper hose on the radiator. I tightened it up and it stopped. I think this was the source of the leak I spotted earlier
11.) Found another leak on the front of the radiator. This one was a pin-hole in the fins, and was shooting a steady stream of coolant out the front and all over the bumper. So the radiator will still need to come out.

The trans will do like a spool up jet engine type thing.

At least it runs and seems to be doing well enough to get you back home. On the 4) stiff accelerator, in addition to checking for lube and any binding also check the throttle rod for any interference all the way down to the transmission and the condition of return springs on the pedal linkage. Too heavy a single spring or if there is one also located under the car and another on the firewall that may be too many. Both situations can cause the pedal to be stiff, jerky, or hard to push.

RH - that's good to know. So it's normal for the trans to sound like that when warming up? I ask because my '54 doesn't make any sound like that. Is the Twin Ultramatic that much different?

Howard - I'm very pleased with how things are going on the car so far, and glad it didn't leave me stranded. This car is miles ahead of where my Panama was when I got it. I expected that this car would need some work to get it up to solid touring condition. So my list above is just a record of my observations so far.

I'll check all the linkages for the throttle and see what's up. I didn't think about checking springs. Thanks for the guidance!