Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I was on a club tour today with my 56 Patrician.Things were going well and the car performed good until we hit a stretch of winding uphill back roads.As I was going up the one stretch, the car downshifted and when it tried to upshift, it sounded like I was attempting to downshift a non- synchro standard trans(loud grinding like sound).I hit the highway for home and to add insult to injury, my drivers side wiper blade flew off the car during a downpour.Now, when the car shifts into direct drive, it makes and audible Gerrr sound whereas before it was smooth and quiet.

GTO, I think it's important background to add to your question to state that the transmission was rebuilt some years back, close to 10 years, but then sat for quite a few years w/o being used until you recently put it back on the road.

Owen-dyneto, Please forgive my ignorance but why would that be of importance? Brian

Generally, the more information you have at hand the better a diagnosis you can make.

Direct drive clutch plates can "glaze" or become surface-hardened with age, and worn with use. I thought it important for diagnosticians to know the DD clutch plate was new but that the car was idle for some time.

Thank you, makes sense

to paraphrase a letter we send out "what will I do?"

rolling on flat land, dose it still have engine brakeing if you take your foot of the gas? or dose it coast?

Yes.It still has engine braking.

Since you experienced a grinding noise on an upshift, it isn't likely a problem with the planetary gear train since that's only turning in low range or reverse.

That you're hearing the noise when it shifts into direct drive certainly suggest the problem is within the converter - though that clutch is controlled from within the transmission.

A moan or groan could be due to a glazed lining (but why all of the sudden?). That condition might be alleviated by alternate fluids or additives.

However, finding the source of some other noise involving the DD clutch will likely require removal of the converter and inspection of its internal workings. Yet, since I've only ever had one of these apart just once, and that was decades ago, I wouldn't even want to venture a guess what it may be.

Something i just thought of, i wonder if one of the springs in the direct drive broke. so as to not maintain propper pressure on the disc. since it still has braking, we know the sprag is ok.