Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Well I have owned a 1955 Packard 400 since March 2003. Have always wanted one. Lately however the struggles with the Ultra transmission have me ready to pull my hair out. Since I have bought it I have had 4 transmissions fail-the first one that came with the car burned up in 2006. The second one rebuilt by a reputable shop in Phila Pa (where I live) lasted 2 years, the third rebuilt by an Ultramatic specialist in Va lasted but a few months-it burned itself up during that horrendously hot week in Gettysburg in 2009-to his credit the Virginia shop stood behind his tranny and put in a new one gratis-that is the one that just burned up
yesterday. This has convinced me that putting in another Ultramatic is just not a viable option. I have also tried to prevent the Ultra burning up by installing a transmission cooler with a fan! All to no avail. Needless to say when the car does get A new tranny-IT WILL NOT BE AN ULTRAMATIC! I just want some info as to what conversion kits are currently out there ( the two ive heard about are the ULTR-TORC II and the Bendtsen kit for converting to a chevy trans) -how difficult the installation is and if thier owners are pleased with them.

I have a 1955 Clipper Custom and I changed over to the Chrysler 727 with the Ultra-Torc conversion. I have over 50,000 miles on the transmission. When you do change over, look for someone who has done this before. I had a problem with the shop 'learning' how to do the conversion. I would go with the Chevy overdrive transmission. Mine was done over 12 years ago and the Chevy version wasn't available then. That's the way I'd go. The 727 is strong enough for the engine, but I miss the overdrive. I have not had a problem since the kinks were worked out from the conversion and I do drive this car and I enjoy it. My wife will even drive this car with confidence. After all, they are meant to drive.

I had Best Other's Ultra rebuilt in 1992. People in Detroit, New York and Virginia can testify I do drive it A LOT. Of course the fellow who rebuilt mine did know what he was doing.
I also had a daily driver 56 400 from early 62 to late 65. I had to get rid of it when another driver wiped out the whole side of it. I don't baby it as anyone who knows me can attest.
I don't blame you for changing though, if you can't find a competent rebuilder.

Specifically what parts inside of the trans failed???? Or what symptoms were exhibited and under what driving conditions did the trans fail????

As for conversion i would definately go with the GM automatic with overdrive transmission. or convert to stick or one of the Ford 4 spds with overdrive. Bottom line, OVERDRIVE!!!

Dear Wauhop:

Was the same transmission being rebuilt or did they try a different one?

Your story is consistent with what the old timers always said about Ultramatic - there are good ones and bad ones.

I would get rid of the thing as recommended.

I can appreciate your distress, and sorry that you weren't able to find a skilled and knowledgeable Ultramatic rebuilder as it is an interesting piece of automotive history and, properly rebuilt, is quite enjoyable to drive. I'm particularly curious about the failures; was the failure mode the same in each case?

The only ultra I heard burning up , where people racing them, something about burning up the valve bodies.

I even got into some off the lines,,one with a trans am, smoked him.. I was in low range.

no problems..

I'd also be curious as to what keeps burning up. Assume it must be the high range clutches?? Believe that is the usual reason things are so bad they quit moving.

Along those lines, I have what's left of a 55 Ultra in my junk pile that was retired due to the clutch malady. Came out of an acquaintances 55 Clipper. He was hard on cars in general but in this case, even he admitted in his case the Ultra's damage was entirely self inflicted. By all accounts though he and his Packard had kept up with the Porsche club rally quite well until the last 100 miles.

As mentioned above, it would be helpful to have more detail for those trying to live with a TwinUltramatic or rebuild one. "Burned up" doesn't add to the body of knowledge. What specifically failed and what were the symptoms before and after failure?

Was it a pushbutton?

What drive modes/settings were used?

Any manual shifting?

jack vines

The problem seems to be my transmission just heats up and that of course burns the fluid-ergo another dead Ultramatic. I have literally tried EVERYTHING to keep the tranny from burning up-a transmission cooler with a fan for God's sake nothing has worked.