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Hello ,I'm not sure how to start a new topic ,Im want to change the fluid in the ultramatic of the 52 packard 200 I have ,I think I have to change the fluid in the torque converter too ,I have some slipping of the transmission particularly when going up a hill . can someone tell me the trick on how to do this ,I have a manual ,Any special fluid to use ? the proceedure to line up the flywheel and the converter holes looks trickey!!

(Post split from other thread and moved to appropriate forum - mgmt)

If you have the shop manual, there's a passage on maintenance in the Ultramatic Drive section that tells you exactly how to drain the converter.

There's nothing about lining up any flywheel/converter holes. However, you do have rotate the flywheel to be able to drain the converter completely. In the absence of a flyhweel turning tool, some might be tempted to "bump" the starter switch accomplish that, but if you remove all the spark plugs from the engine, you'll be able to turn the crank by hand, using the cooling fan - provided the belt has sufficient grip.

WRT fluid, have you looked in our Answers to Frequently Asked Questions section? There's a topic that addresses what fluid to use.

Seek and ye shall find.

The best authority on this site to comment on your slippage on a hill is "Ross". But pending his comment, might I suggest it might be premature kickdown due to improperly adjusted throttle pressure linkage (very sensitive on this transmission). And perhaps some pressure tests are suggested. See the service manual, available on this site or hardcopy reprint from any of the major Packard vendors.

A bit more info on the symptoms would be a help. Do you mean the engine runs free, or is it more like a kickdown? Will the trans start the car up a hill in high?

I have a really steep hill to go up and down ,Its called Moser ,I call it car death hill .Low range engine brakes beautifully down the hill.I use low range going up and I hear this metallic "chink" "chink" sound on the steepest part .its more than a 20% grade .I have good torque going up I dont feel the car hesitate or slip ,I thought the fluid might be low in the transmission such that theyres not enough pressure being generated and something is slipping .I looked at the manual .
Which side is the transmision cover window ?it doesnt say if its the driver or passenger side,I have the original rubber mats I bet theyre too brittle to survive a peel up so I want to start on the right side .It seems like a low fluid level could cause something to slip ,The transmission also doesnt kick down too well when the throttle is applied

Im sure the torque converter and the tranny could use fresh fluid ,The transmission will fill the torque converter as its filled at 800 rpm? Lining up the holes in the flywheel that looks like a job for a mechanic with a lift ,but no one locally will touch it.I live in the San Francisco bay area now . I HAD lived in Richmond a few miles from Mr Ultamatic Dynamic Co;s Mr Fitch the ultramatic specialist ,but didnt know about him at the time

I have a 50 desoto and the torque converter and transmission both can be checked and filled from the top window which is on passenger side of the hump ,the clunkomatic tip toe transmission

Not sure that unusual metallic noises will be corrected, but fluid change certainly can't hurt.

A lift or mechanic is not absolutely necessary for fluid change. If the transmission was properly installed, there's no need to line up drain plugs in the converter with holes in the flywheel. All you should have to do is remove the lower flywheel housing cover and rotate the converter and flyhweel, together, to find the drain plugs. However, you will need to put the car up on four heavy-duty jack stands and over a concrete floor to do the job. A forum post in another thread, "Checking transmission fluid", reveals how our webmaster went about that.

An article on "Servicing the Ultramatic", in SC Vol. 23, No. 9, p. 46, provides some additional perspectives on the under-car aspect of a drain and refill.

However, you may also want to clean the transmission filter. Though periodic service, initially, called only for checking and changing fluid, an article on "Ultramatic Oil Screen", in SC Vol. 25, No. 12, p. 48, recommended this additional service. This requires removal of pan and replacment of the pan gasket, but the filter is reusable. Screen and pan installation are covered in the last page of "Unit Assembly" in the Ultramatic Drive section of the shop manual.

WRT filling the transmission, another post in the "Checking transmission fluid" thread offers an image attachment showing the floor access cover in a 23rd Series car. This should be similar to your car, EXCEPT that the larger floor transmission cover (intended for access to the old top-loaded, manual gearboxes) was not used in later years. However, the small cover only provides access to a second filler hole, located in the upper rear of the transmission, NOT the dipstick. You'll still have to go under-car for access to dipstick to check fluid level.

BTW, you might want to edit the "Location" field in your member profile to reflect your new bay area location. This might help put you in touch with other members in your area; some may even be able to lend a physical hand.

Dear Steve:

The clinking noise may be due to the reaction member(stator)having too much play and banging against the turbine. I've seen the vains nicked up from this. The ultramaitc should not make any noise. I suppose if the one way clutch shaft was brinelled it might make a noise as well, but Hydramatics will make grinding noises in the presence of torque converter end play problems.

As for filter service here is a Chrysler Part number

04446728

This is for a little magnet they put in their transmission pans to collect chips. I don't know if it will fit the UM but it might. It requires a locating dimple via a ball peen hammer. It can also be stuck to the outside and help keep the crud down.

Good luck with your car.

Hi ,I found the filler hole on top of the hump ,theres a small silver dollar sized hole that looks homemade of the driverside of the hump over the dip stick but its too small for me to get my hand in and unscrew the dipstick ,I wonder if someone in the history of the car cut this out ,I wonder if I should make it bigger so I can check the fluid from time to time without having to pay the mechanic ,I have a little leak where the shift selector rod goes in the transmission but was advisdd that the fix for that required disaASSEMBly and that Id be better off just buying some extra fluids,as it stands it seems really hard to check the fluid level from in the car unless theres a trick or perhaps lotsw of folks cut a bigger hole ,