Interested in use of Packard transmissions

In various places (including here) I've seen conversion bells for FE's, Hemis and others to Packard 4 speed transmissions.

What year trans was used? How are the gear ratios and strength? Is it worth rounding up a bunch of obscure parts to run one of these today?

Thanks!
Aaron

*Edit* new questions below

 

To the best of my knowledge, there were no Packard 4 speed trannies. They were three speed, some with overdrive, which, I suppose could be called a four speed, but not as the term is customarily used. The only exception I can think of is the '58 Packard (Studebaker based) Hawk that might have been available with the Borg Warner T-10 of the era. But even in that case, they are known as BW T-10's not Packards.

 

I'm not a Packard expert but the older 3 speeds were tough, they could handle a lot of torque in a heavy car.

 

1st gear 2.43:1, 2nd 1.7ish, and 3rd 1:1

Strong? - strong as all shit

 

Had one behind a '51 Chrysler years ago. Liked it just fine. Everyone is correct it was a 3 speed.

 

Well that explains why I never found this mysterious Packard 4 speed. What years of transmissions are used typically? It's a floor shift?

 

Packards were floor shift until at least '37 maybe a year or two later, after that side shift, but floor conversions were available for them. Manual trans were available through about '54 with the straight 8 engines........don;'t think they were with the V8's...could be wrong on that point, although even if they were, that would be a rare piece and likely the same box as earlier. Most commonly available will be '46 thru '50, before the Ultramatics came out.

 

Had one in my 33Ford gasser back in 1961 . You can put the early floor shift top cover on the later side shift box. One fork needs to be changed. I beleive we welded a fork from a 39 Ford trans to the modified Packard fork.When you have both top covers you will see what needs to be done. Worked great for me.

 

Packard had 3 speed overdrive in 56 behind v-8's

 

I'm bringing this thread back from the dead because I've got a few more questions.

I picked up an adapter bellhousing from the classifieds to use on the Edsel. My hope is to use a Packard trans to convert the car to column shift, while being able to run a good amount of power and still be able to tow, run slicks, and generally abuse the hell out of the car without worry.

So now I'm looking for the trans itself. I've seen a few references to the Borg Warner T-96 being used in Packards, is that what I'm looking for? Any spotting features or casting numbers to make sure I have the right one?

Also, I know it's hard to know for sure with a weird part like a NOS adapter, but will I likely be using an FE flywheel and a Packard clutch?

Thanks!
Aaron

 

I recently bought a '51 Packard overdrive box from a buddy. It was a side shift trans that he converted it to top shift with a '37 shift plate back in the early '60s. He thinks all they had to do was grind one of the shift forks, but he cant remember. He also told me that I would need the flywheel and pressure plate for whatever motor I was using and a clutch disc for a Packard trans. He said he thought that the input splines on the Packard match up with a chevy clutch disc which, if true, will be much easier to locate. Your throw out bearing will have to match the pressure plate you are using. Find someone on here that has an old catalogue for the adapter you have, they usually specified which t-o bearing and clutch fork to use. You will probably have to make a custom pilot bushing out of oillite bronze to make it all work. Good luck and keep us posted on how it works out.

 

One of the forks needs to be wider ,, Most conversions I've seen for packard run chevy clutch.. T -96 and Packard trans are 2 totally different animals

 

I seriously doubt Warner T-96's were used in Packards.....that is, as I recall, a fairly light to medium duty box used in Studebakers, Nashes and other makes, but not Packards. So far as I know, Packard made their own gearboxes, with the possible exception they used Warner Overdrive units on their trannies.

The Packard has the uumph, but I can't help but think there are other HD manual transmissions out there that would be easier to find and adapt. Since you are using a Ford FE engine, how about the HD Ford car and pickup gearboxes. Ford used Warner T-85's with FE engines in the early mid sixties, for example. They were also in some early 50's Lincolns and mid 60's Pontiacs. They have a curved shape on the lower part of the side cover, like a T-10 4 speed. Easiest way to quickly spot one.

 

Packard overdrives with a top shift are (IMHO) the ultimate hot rod gearbox. If anyone wants to sell me one - I'd drop everything to buy it!!!

When I did the Packard to Chev conversion, I machined the thrust bearing race to suit a Chev Clutch bearing. The input shaft is the same as a Chev, and I got a local guy to machine an adapter plate for my.

It looks like this T5 adapter plate. Also here is a picture of a 35-37 trans I wanted to buy from a HAMBer, but he refused to sell it to me as I was from overseas

 

In 1958 I had a 51 Ford, stock with a flathead V8. Installed a 37 Packard top shift trans, with a simple one inch aluminum adapter. Very strong trans, as I had Broken a dozen stockers before the swap!

 

heres an aluminum one,,,what pilot bearing did you use ?

 

One would think that if you were running an Edsel you would look into a Ford T&C top loader three or four speed. Absolutly a bolt on. Very strong. Easy to find. Why be hard on your self?

 

Thanks for clarifying that the Chevy clutch disc works with the Packard.
The Packard input shaft looks pretty long to me, how thick of an adapter plate did you use to get it all lined up correctly?

 

Mostly from wanting a column shift. I blew up a T85 in an old truck, and that was with a wheezy stock 302 and I've been leery of putting too much power through them ever since. The Edsel has a 361 that's not going to set any records, but it should be pretty stout when it's done. I can't see the linkage being too terribly hard to modify to work with a packard box instead of a b/w. Honestly, If I wanted a floor shift it would be easy.

 

Good advice here.............................

 

Maybe I just had bad luck with my last t85? When this car is done it will have a little north of 400ft/lbs of torque, and it will see slicks every once in a while as well as trailers in a 2 ton monster of a car. I realize it's a lot of trouble, but since I'm starting from scratch I don't see where it will be *that* much harder than using Ford parts. I like to really overbuild everything between the flywheel and the back tires because nothing sucks worse than a blown transmission.

Honestly, if I can't get a good tough side shift trans I'll probably just toss in a C6 and save the bell for a future project (FE powered Packard? ) When I envision what I really want in this car I just don't see a floor shifter as part of the picture.

 

I am not talking about a BW T85. I am talking about the Ford T&C 3 speed column shift trans that came in FE pickups like my '69. Full syncro. Tougher than a Packard. Easy to find. Cheap. Bolts to the FE because they were made to bolt to the FE. What possable reason could you have not to use one? They are as strong as the Ford top loader four speed trans used inmany drag cars and NASCAR of a few years back.