55 versus 56 differences

[Randy Berger]

Craig, said he would post here also if someone started it - I always like to start things (sometime trouble, lol), so here goes. Some of these are Packard only, some are Clipper also. You Clipper owners, dive in.
grille change, front and rear bumper change, front clip (fenders, hood), trunk, paint color (exterior and interior), material for seats,etc., courtesy light lens, positive to negative ground, TL limit switches and placement of electrical components, decoration on taillights (V to Hex), cubic inches, carburetion, transmission (part cast-iron to all aluminum). lifters and pushrods, rockers, oil pump (late 56), pushbutton tranny, dash pad, power seat controls, gauges and faces including gauge trim rings, upgrade distributor, trunk interior material, engine color. OK that's a start. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...ns/tongue.gif" alt="" />
YFAM, Randy Berger <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...lins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[WCraigH]

Hey Randy, that's a pretty extensive list! As a matter of fact, with all those differences, a naive reader might think 1955 and 1956 are completely different cars! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...lins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Even though some of these might overlap or elucidate on yours, here's some more to chew on: rear axle assy (Eaton to Dana), rear wheel retention (taper w/nut to bolted flange), "Twin-Traction" (posi), wheel mount bolts to studs.

Torsion level connection points (taper, no lube), T-L solenoid mount (frame by motor to left inner fender), front shock lower mount (stud to T w/bolt).

Front "Dagmar" position (from under Oxbow dip to under headlight). Small egg-crate grille behind big egg-create grille added on 1956.

[WCraigH]

Comparing the hoods on Paul's 1955 Caribbean with his 1956 Caribbean: 1955 fake hood scoops are taller and a different design (appear to be removable). Under that hood, there's a piece of sheet metal that runs from the front to near the rear with two large holes punched in it near the carbs. It looks for all the world like it's designed for an optional fresh (ram) air setup like the 1968-70 Pontiac GTO Ram Air! One could certainly modify it for same.

The clock in the 1956 dash is larger diameter than 1955. A more subtle difference is a fibreboard(?) insert inside the 1956 glove box door, apparently to provide a flat spot for your drink cup when the door is down.

Besides the different trunk latch pointed out by Brian, an obvious difference is the shape of the trunk (1955 like 1954 & earlier, 1956 squared off).

[Randy Berger]

Ahh, yes! the infamous 56 trunk latch. Early production just has a C-clip to hold the L-shaped arm to the stud on the lock. The C-clips would pop off and the L-shaped arm would fall of the stud and then you couldn't move the latch to enter the trunk. Solution was to drill a hole in the stud and put a flat washer and cotter pin on it. The other solution was to tear out the back seat and using a couple of three-foot extensions with the proper socket remove the two bolts holding the latch to the trunk lip. Been there, done that <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...ins/frown.gif" alt="" />
YFAM, Randy Berger

[Randy Berger]

The rear window on 56 Packard hdtps is quite different than 55 and the coat of arms medallion is displayed on a triangular piece of stainless while 55 has medallion with a "V" on roof pillar.
YFAM, Randy Berger

[RO]

I hope the WINDSHIELD for the '55 Clipper Custom is the same as that for the '56 Clipper Custom because Friday I hauled home a '56 Clipper Custom (driving, shifting, and braking) but the windshield is broken. A '55 parts car came with the deal.

[Randy Berger]

Convertible windshields are different than all others. Outside of that, physically all 55-56 windshields are the same. I would invest in a new windshield weatherstrip. Recommend removing windshield wiper tensioners - buy new gaskets for them, too.
YFAM, Randy Berger

[Randy Berger]

new/improved (sounds like a soap commercial) valve lifters, eliminate holes in top of rockers, add baffles above valves for suspected oil problem, increase intake valve diameter for 56. raise compression ratio from 8.5 to 10.0. engine paint from ivory(ugh!) to bronze. much improved Rochester 4GC.
Received my TL holding tool today - makes life easier.
YFAM, Randy Berger

[WCraigH]

Randy,

Posting about T-L tools, here's a couple of shots of a threaded "J" tool that Packard-buddy Paul made up. It works on rear (shown) or front thru top shock mount hole (w/o brace plates). The advantage compared to the Packard front holding tool (J-6065) is that it is adjustable.

J-Tool on rear outside view

J-Tool on rear inside view

Of course the rear configuration wouldn't work too good with the body on!!! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...ns/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[Randy Berger]

Craig, I like the tool but that isn't the shock hole. It looks like a plate that Paul welded onto the frame himself. Does give you ideas though.
YFAM, Randy Berger

[WCraigH]

Randy,

The shock hole I was talking about is when only the "J" tool and nut/washer are used on the front. The bracket shown is NOT a shock mount, but is merely installed to hold the "J" tool. Hope that clears up it's use.

A slightly different design could be made for use when the body is installed. Basically, use a similar bracket, but have the nut thread from the bottom with an "L" bracket to catch the T-L arm.