Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

PV-8, most of the reversing relays, or pushbutton control relay (or whatever else it has been called) I have seen are mounted just below the lip of the fender, within 6" vertically. In looking at the number of cars I have serviced or at least looked at to diagnose/enjoy, I have come up with a theory that there was no template at the Conner plant to insure that these components were mounted in an absolute uniform placement, I think one guy just grabbed one of each component and started drilling and screwing. They are all a little different. And every car seems to have one or two holes in that area that aren't necessary.

Packard V-8, I have an answer for you on the resistor used on the pushbutton shift relay, it is .5-.6 ohms, at many, many watts. Probably the best thing to do is appeal to someone online who has replaced their pushbutton relay and take the resistor from that. usually the points are pitted beyond repair or the pull-in coils go open and the relay is NFG. We know that resistor is right for the job and has the proper (high) wattage rating.

Amps can be converted to watts. We now know from your post that the ohm reading is 0.5 to 0.6 ohms. SO, if we hooked up an amp gauge to a PB system and then tested to see the MAX amp draw then we could determine any other paramter about the resistor.

I'm guessing that the motor operating to release PARK on a hill of 45 degrees would be the acid test.

Amps can be converted to watts


I x E = P

amps (I) x volts(E) = watts (P for "power")