Does the ‘Park’ work with both rear wheels on the ground?  If it does, then with both rear wheels off of the ground and in park, one or both of the rear wheels will typically turn depending upon the type of differential is in the vehicle.  The wheel opposite of the wheel you are turning will be rotating the opposite direction indicating an open or single track rear end.  If the transmission is in neutral (or the parking pawl is not engaged in the park position) and both tires rotate the same direction, you likely have a posi-track differential.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

OOPs, I don't know what that is. HELP

Could be the parking pawl.

I just discovered that the 56 Victoria I recently purchased is not in Park when the gear shift selector is in Park. I have the car jacked up-back wheels are off the ground. I was checking on the brakes. The wheels turn easily when the car is in Park. Might this be an adjustment issue? Thanks.

Expensive mistake lead by watching reality TV. I had to do the same thing with 55 Slant Pan Hydramatic in the mid 60’s. It would not start in 1st. Good luck. 

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Thanks for that info on the Pontiac !!!

I blew up the torque converter on a GM 200R4 , behind a Corvette L82 and the results were I had to punish the car just to get the two miles to my driveway , felt the same as the Mercury , bound up like brakes on full . 

yeah I do not mind breaking a 200 or 2000 or 10000 dollar automobile being reliving the events of yesterday , It is fun! 

I do not get doing a burnout with a 60,000 Mercury Montclair Convertible the minute you roll it off the transport truck ., just not a good idea .

I was not there to see the burnout but he said it was a good burnout , and he would certainly know .

thanks to all 

not exactly the same , but my buddy has a 56 pontiac with hydromatic ,. after a couple mild panic stops to check for front end pull, to my surprise the tranny would not shift out of low gear no matter what . I looked and looked and thought , we added more fluid to no avail . He said lets take it out and drive the snot out of it , to no avail . Then we stopped he reversed to about 30 mph and stopped , put in gear and it worked fine,, I think the governor in the tranny must have stuck.. Wow what a surprise 

Did you ask how many rpm he was turning when he dropped it into low for the burnout? Sounds like something I might have done about 60 years ago.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

there is no noise that either of can here , and I think you are correct 

was hoping a member who had this unfortunate experience before could chime in , by I do think this is rare!!!

Amazing what makes them run , amazing what makes them QUIT