Top shift transmission cover

[BrookridgeFarms]

Looking for a 37 38 top shift cover

[Packard enthus.]

for what make, model, and year car ? If you are referring to Packards, we need to know if you are referring to the "big" Packards, i.e. "Senior Division", or the "small-engined" Packards - the so called "Junior" division. The top-shfting transmission covers were all the same from late 1931 production to the end of Senior production in July 1939, when the facilities for the production of "big" Packards were destroyed. The year 1939 is a special case, the only "Senior" division cars produced for that year were the Twelves. Most of 1939 model year Twelve production has "column" shifters - using the same basic transmission from 1932-1939 production, but the case was modified so that the shifting levers come in from the side, rather than the top. While Packard produced a model CALLED the "Super Eight" in 1939, its only connection to the old "Senior" division was the use of what was, for a time, the smallest motor available - commonly known as a "Standard Eight" motor of 320 cu in - but everything else about the car, including chassis, suspension, sheet metal, transmission, etc, was all from the lighter-weight Packard parts bin. So a transmission top case cover from a 1939 Super Eight would be different than earlier production.

Now, the shifting stalks themselves change with the introduction of 1935 models, because the seating position is further back from the transmission - the covers themselves, are the same.

I do not know about the so called "small" Packard transmission covers, meaning the "120" and "110" series. To my knowledge virtually NO parts from the "Junior Division" cars will fit a "Senior" division Packard. They might as well be different make cars, both in quality and performance.

Perhaps someone more familiar with the "Junior" Packards can help you narrow down your search, if indeed you have a "Junior" Packard.

[BrookridgeFarms]

I am looking for the 37-38 Top shift cover and shifter ( will take just the cover ) I wish to convert the trans form 1947 Clipper to top shift.

[4t1pack]

A 35-38 jr. topshifter will work but you will have to fabricate new shifting forks.

[BrookridgeFarms]

Yes,, thats what I was told [img]<>/smile.gif[/img]

[Packard enthus.]

someone explain to me what I am missing. The late pre-war ('39 and on) and post war Packards had column shift transmissions. The gear-changhing levers came in from the SIDE of the transmission. The so called "top loader" or "stick" shift earlier Packard transmissions, (meaning the entire transmission ) from the "junior" Packard line MIGHT bolt to the later car bell housing - I dont know. Havnt a clue. Is that what you are talking about ? Putting an entire transmission from an earlier Packard that originally had a "stick" shift, into a '47 Clipper ?

But, just mechanism consisting of the top-plate, gear shift lever, etc, from the "top shifter" transmission fit into a transmission designed for a column shift ? Huh ? C'mon..guys !

What is that pretty picture of. Sure likes like a column shift transmission to me. If it is, someone mind telling me how you could install the gear-shift lever and connecting plate, from a "top shift" transmission, into the transmission pictured.. ? ? ?

[BrookridgeFarms]

Ok EVEN though the transmission itself loads the guts from the top it is STILL a side shift. You can take and modify the early "top shift " ( thats what I've always heard them referred to as ) to be use on the later "side shift " trannys [img]<>/smile.gif[/img]

[Packard enthus.]

I cant make any intelligent comment on this issue, since I am pretty ignorant about the pre-war "Junior" series cars.

Your photographs are great. I'd sure like to see a photograph of the LEFT side of the two transmissions you are talking about, so I could understand all this better better.

Do I understand you to be saying that the pre-war TOP/STICK transmissions had "bosses" already machined in the SIDE of the transmission so that they were ready for the side-levers of a column-shift installation ?

[BrookridgeFarms]

Got one thanx

[Ozstatman]

Looks like the one on eBay - Item number: 320146262130

[BrookridgeFarms]

lol,,yeah the one we got ,,ended up going with a different set up,,

[peter packard]

Hi, The 35 to 38 Junior trans top will bolt straight onto the 39-46 (and probably up to 56 column change) boxes. (forget the Senior boxes 35-39). There is a necessity to spread one of the selector forks. In Australia we have been fitting Packard floor shift tops to R6, R9 and R11 overdrive boxes for the past 30 years. There is a bit of grinding required to the floor shift top to clear the rear of the o'd box and a bit of heat treatment and bending to spread the second/top fork but it works fine. Let me know if you need more info. Peter Toet

[packards42]

Where the photos go???