Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I apologize for my typo. The group number is 3.31425.
That seal would not stop your leaking. You need the proper seal and it should be a snug fit. Apparently the washer was eliminated in 56 and the seal was changed.
I agree with Howard - if you are having a severe leak, then you have the wrong seal.

Thanks Randy, but according to Plate 35 and 36 in the Parts book, there is a washer on the '56. However, when I installed the washer, it leaked more than when the washer wasn't there. Now I'm really confused. I guess I'll just have to remove the washer and seal the heck out it.

When in doubt you can always go back to basics:

Measure the shaft diameter,
Measure the bore diameter,
Measure or estimate the seal thickness,

And just order a new seal by dimensions rather than by application. For press-in metal cased seals, add about 0.001" per inch of bore diamter to the bore diameter for the seal OD, to allow for a snug press fit. i.e. for a bore of 1.000, get a seal with an OD of about 1.001".

Thanks. That's a great suggestion. I have an another seal so I can use it as a reference to get one that has an OD .0001 larger.

Dear HOTROD:

If sizing up a seal doesn't work and you want to try
GM silicone seal maker then consult your local GM dealer as to availability. I don't know the part number, but the last time I used it was to fabricate a timing cover seal for a Chevrolet that had been all over town and was still pouring oil out the front of the motor.

It was some kind of Z optioned Imapala and the crankshaft was chewed up.

Good luck

Don't just go by the pictures - go look at the actual description of the part under the group number. It says the washer was used in 1955 only.

If there is a leak with a new seal, it does not mean you are using the wrong seal. It probably means you have installed it incorrectly. As far as using a seal that is .001 larger to insure a tight fit, seals are not made in .001 progressions. They are made to certain sizes and machinery is often designed around those specs.

The OD of this seal is 1.004", the next larger OD for this shaft size (ID) and thickness is 1.128"

The group for the selector shaft seal is NOT 3.31425, it is 3.57788

We have seals manufactured for us with a sealant on the OD to insure a tight, leakproof fit. MOdern technology at its best,
Precision Engineered for Longer Life as Packard said.

It amazes me the gyrations people will go through to avoid benefitting from a professionals experience????

Oh, I see what you mean. I woke up the other morning and found the rear end of my '56 raised up in the air. As you know, I've been working on stopping the leak from the actuator. Well, when I finished, I lower the car and switched the T/L switch on. The car adjusted itself just fine the day before; however, the next morning the rear end was jacked-up.

Now this is what I've done. Both the 7 1/2 amp and 30 amp fuses are goo. I also have brake lights so the stop lamp switch still works. I have voltage on the buss bar of the solenoids but not on the other side of the solenoids (red and yellow wires going to the leveling motor). However, when I use a jumper wire and touch the red wire/terminal on the solenoid, I can hear something (perhaps the leveling motor) run. But when I touch the other terminal (yellow wire) nothing happens. WHAT DO I DO NEXT PLEASE????????

Thanks Fred. Where do I find the correct way to install this seal? Do I need to use any sealant?

Fred said As far as using a seal that is .001 larger to insure a tight fit, seals are not made in .001 progressions. They are made to certain sizes and machinery is often designed around those specs.

Fred, you sure do like to read a lot more into what I say than I wrote in the first place. I didn't say seals are made in 0.001 progressions to insure tight fits - you've somehow come up with that on your own.

What I was trying to convey was that if you source a seal by measurement rather than application, the OD of the seal should be larger than the bore into which it is pressed, and normally by at least 0.001 per inch of bore.

But thanks for the lecture.