Packard Forum Index » Modification Discussion

Just saw this tonight, this company makes adapters to put GM automatic transmissions on the back of Packard V8s, the 288/327 straight 8's, and the 356 straight 8: Packard Transmission Adapters

Disclaimer: I don't know anything about this company, except saw them mentioned in Rodder's Journal and looked at their website tonight. I have not used any of their products.

My apologies if this has been discussed widely here previously. I looked back several pages and didn't see a thread about these.

I'd like to have one of these adapters.... for the 288, 327, 359 engine.

These have been around for a while but note that they adapt only the transmission to the engine. You still have to build a custom crossover and driveshaft to work with them and probably would need custom linkages as well. I’ve not used one either but from what I gather, it is fairly involved. In other words, they are not plug-and-play.

Having said that, a week or so ago someone on eBay was selling one complete that apparently come from a pre-1951 Packard but it used a Chrysler transmission rather than GM. They didn’t say but maybe it was one of the UltraTorque conversions that were available many years ago.

I have one of the kits. Planning to install it this spring/summer. I am hoping to use a universal column linkage kit. It uses a 12 volt starter. The parts seem nicely made.

Best Regards,