Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I finally got around to the procedure for checking my Ultramatic pressures and in accordance with the service manual, you're instructed to pull the carpet back and utilize the same access hole for checking and adding transmission fluid for the gauge hose...only problem is that my '53 Clipper Club Sedan doesn't have an access hole anywhere in the floor or transmission tunnel. The car has the original factory floorboards and there's no indication of a "Knock-out" plate. Is this unusual or did Packard do away with the thru floor access somewhere in the production lineage?

Only the 23rd series Ultras had the large plate. 51-4 had a small 3-4" diameter covered hole on top of tunnel just ahead of seat edge. It was located above the breather on transmission. You could add fluid (slowly) thru the breather opening but not do much else from the top.

For Ultramatic road-testing with a pressure gauge set attached, you can run the hoses up thru the fresh air vent.

HH - I know my eyes are bad and I'll check again but I swear I looked and looked for a hole from underneath the car.

Owen - fresh air vents were my preferred route anyway as I didn't want to peel back carpet...insulation is glued down and peeling back would probably destroy it. I just wanted to find the access hole location for my own curiosity.

Anyway, hope to get to those pressures this weekend. Work has picked up considerably and I haven't had ANY spare time to spend on the Packard...thanks a bunch guys.

I don't have a picture handy but with seat all the way back, center of tunnel side to side, start at the front seat edge and feel against the carpet going forward. The factory carpet had a thick backing and in the plate area it was thinner or removed entirely just leaving the plate to fill the round vacant area. You might see the depression or feel the texture change. IIRC, it was about 2-3 inches in front of seat edge.

You won't see the hole from underneath the car as it's directly above the transmission. You have to pull the carpet back to see it on the center "hump".

Here is a pic for reference:

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