Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Tim,
As far as converting, I agree, and have been there- done that. In 2002, I bought another 56J with Ultra transmission, which came with a trunk full of misc Ultra parts. I got the motor started pretty easly, backed it up and pulled forward a few times, and decided no more Ultramatic for me. So I used a TH400 conversion available at the time from Jack Nordstrom in Texas. After restoration and 41,000 miles of driving pleasure, I sold the car, and the TH400 was still working beautifully. AFAIK, it still is. The kit even came with a shift quadrant to match the Th400 shift pattern.

If I were to do another Ultra conversion today, no question I'd follow in a couple of others' footsteps here and go with a 700R tranny. To drop the RPMs with the above TH400, I replaced the original 3.07 rear end with an AMC 2.53. But that would not be necessary with a 700R, due to its .7 overdrive.

When right, the Ultra is OK, but even my old friend John Brian said they generally need rebuild about every 50,000 miles. I also do not particularly care for the personality of the Ultra, in that it seems to have a mind of its own when it comes to upshift and downshift; the driver is simply along for the ride :)

Hi,
I bought a 1950 Custom Touring Sedan, and it appears that the Ultramatic transmission has been replaced by a TH400 but the column quadrant is still Ultramatic shifting indicator. Would you happen to have Jack Nordstrom address in Texas? I would like to know if he still has the correct column quadrant which went with the kit.
Please let me know.
Regards,
J-P

Here is contact info from the 56 Golden Hawk website but I have no idea if it is current. I believe most of his conversions were for V8 and Stude products so was unaware he had any indicators for Packards, particularly the S8 version. The only ones I remember were for the TorqueFlite conversions and as far as I know, those conversions are no longer available.

If the indicators are available or you find someone else who has them would you please post the info. I believe indicators even with the current 700R4 conversions have been lacking.

Attach file:

---

  (24.10 KB)

Thank you.
I will contact Jack and also continue to dig information on the conversion.
Have a great Holiday Season.
J-P