Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Packard sold the V8's and Ultramatics to Hudson/Nash for their top-of-the-line cars in 55 and 56. There are some differences regarding part interchangeability which will be delineated here, along with the practical effects.

Engine & Accessories
Engine Pan
The well (big dip) in the pan is shifted forward on the Hash type to make room for something at the rear of the engine, presumably the steering linkage. This will interfere with the Packard steering linkage which must be in front of the well, so the pan is not interchangeable. (Edit: see photos.)

Distributor
Hash used a dual-point. No problem to use on a Packard car, just buy the Hash parts and follow the Hash manual.

Engine Oil Pump
Hash deleted the vacuum pump and replaced it with a plate. See drawing below (Edit: the drawing is of a 56 Golden Hawk pump, but is similar to the Hash type; notably, the Hash type is of a slightly different overall design, has a support hole for both shafts, and only 4 attaching screws, see photo). See "Fuel Pump" below.

Fuel Pump
Hash used a combination fuel and vacuum pump, AC 4293, which requires a 1/4" pipe street elbow 90 to fit the adapter hose 419506. The fuel and vacuum lines are also different and are not useable on a Packard except probably the carb to vacuum pump line. The balancing valve should be deleted, and the vacuum line to the firewall either connected to the wiper motor directly, or connected with a tee to the washer as well. The balancing valve may be retained if the extra lower port is capped. Otherwise, best hope it doesn't leak.

Carburetor
Hash used a Carter WGD 2231 as opposed to Packard's WCFB 2232. The WGD is a two-barrel and would use a different intake manifold, though on my engine, someone already swapped it for a 4-barrel manifold. The Hash 2-barrel manifold is probably the same as the 56 Clipper 2-barrel, though I don't know for certain as I don't have either.

Fan
Hash used a five-bladed fan instead of a four-blade fan. Doesn't matter one way or the other...

Engine/Transmission Mounts
Surprisingly, these are the exact same. Reminder: for Packard, the transmission mount must be rotated such that the mount-to-tailshaft bolt holes are behind the mount-to-frame studs, not in front.

Transmission
Transmission Cooler
In this photo the cooler unit is obviously different than the Packard type, and in a different location. The water manifold on the engine is the same though, so the Packard type may be substituted without issue. The holes are tapped in the block as well, just probably filled with 70 years of grime (ask me how I know).

Tailshaft (Packard # for 56th Hash type: 6470267)
Hash used a torque-tube driveline (or something) so the tailshaft is completely incompatible with Packard. It can be replaced with any Twin Ultramatic tailshaft assembly, without issue, subject to the design (55 or 56) of the transmission (i.e. a 56th tailshaft for a unit with 56th components, and likewise for 55th; the tailshaft bolt needs to match the internal design to prevent undue wear).

Bell Housing
The Hash type has 4 extra mounting bolt blind holes near the top, facing the rear. This should work in a Packard without colliding with the transmission tunnel.

Transmission Pan (Packard # for 56th Hash type: 471053)
The Packard pan has its fitting on the right of the front side of the pan. The Hash is at the front of the right side of the pan. This makes the dipstick tube interfere with a Packard stock exhaust. A custom exhaust would probably clear it with some attention paid to the routing. I don't know the reason for the change, probably the same as for the engine oil pan (see above).

Dipstick Tube
See Transmission Pan (above). I have not thought to check whether the dipstick itself is the same.

Selector Shaft Outer Lever (Packard # for 56th Hash type: 6480756)
Must be replaced with one of the Packard types. Reminder: when the shaft is rotated so the set screw is vertical, the Packard lever will lean towards the front of the car.

General Construction
As far as I'm aware, the Hash transmissions were made the same as the Packard sedan transmissions, and updated with the latest changes, to stay aligned with the current Packard models.

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The oil pump end plate same p/n as 56 Studebaker Golden Hawk

See my edit below. I misremembered what that drawing is for; it's the 56GH drawing. The Hash pump is significantly different.