Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

OK I know it is not preferred however has any one any information on a transmission I can install in this 55 and get rid of the twin-ultramatic? Any one that fits into the bell housing from the ultramatic or just fits up to the engine?

Thanks.

You can buy the widely advertised kit to convert to a TorqueFlite 727, but I think it' easier to just rebuild the Twin Ultramatic properly, all the parts are available but make sure you find a rebuilder who's been there before and done them successfully, they shouldn't be trusted to just any automatic transmission guy.

When rebuilt properly,the twin-ultramatic performs very well and is a smooth joy to drive. I had my 400 rebuilt in 1992 and am still driving and enjoying it. This includes driving from Pittsburgh to Detroit several times and last year driving from Pgh. to the finger lakes area of New York. As Owen states, it is necessary to have someone who knows the transmission rebuild it. Just had the same fellow rebuild the TU in my 56 Caribbean and expect to get many enjoyable miles from it.

The short answer to Quote: is NO!

The long answer is there are kits to install a Mopar Torqueflite 727 or a GM TH400. Both are expensive and complicated to install. Good cores for these transmissions are no longer easy to find. Modifying a Packard usually lowers the resale value as compared to a good Twin-Ultramatic rebuild.

As always, your car, your money, your decision.

thnx jack vines

G'day 55Car,
to PackardInfo.

Maybe young Mat(packard34) can comment on this as he's just finished putting a 727 into his '55 Caribbean although for entirely different reasons and circumstances.

And I invite you to please include your '55 in the Owner Registry together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it.

I am having problems with the twin ultramatic right now, so while I have it out and am repairing it, I want to put something in.

Where can I get this adapter kit for a 727 or 700r4?

How do u plan to use the car?????? Will u only drive the car on rare occasions and at low speeds????? Don't care about gas mileage?????

If u do a conversion to some other transmission then an OVERDRIVE Automatic or stick shift trans mite be most desireable.

If the only thing u want to do is poke along at 40 mph and do a little show or parade profileing then just rebuild the T'Ultra.

The car has not left a 15 mile circle for 15 years..however want to take it 2000km away, so I need a reliable unit for this trip..after that it may be putting aournd again - the car will be our driving for 2 weeks straight

The Ultra-Torq II kit is the adapter pieces for the Torqueflite 727 transmission which you obtain and rebuild. Latest Cormorant News Bulletin has kit at $975 plus shipping.

Sierra Grove Packards
425 E Laurel
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
(626) 355-4023 or (714)539-8579.

IIRC, aside from Matt in Australia, there was another installed by a member who wrote of some problems on the AACA forum a while back. Believe he had some vibration and other issues. Don't recall ever seeing a definitive answer to causes or resolution.

I forgot to add, I have a 2004R, so if anyone knew where the conversion kit could be found, that would be great!