Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I have an 41 120 with the autolite distributor. The only way I can see to set the timing is to adjust it by using the screw on the vacuum advance to set the timing, Is this correct?

In finding the number one firing position to set the timing on your distributor and oil pump when you have remove both, which I have done, is to: Turn the crank shaft till the timing mark lines up with the pointer. Next see if you can turn valves number one and two. If you can: beautiful.
Now, turn the crank a little until the crank is at the bottom of the stroke. The valves should not have opened since this it the power stroke. At the bottom of the power stroke the exhaust valve (#2) will start to open to expell the exhaust. At the top of the same stroke when the piston is at the top of its movement, the intake valve (#1) will start to open to suck in more gas.

When installing the oil pump, the flat piece of metal that drives the distributor should be horizontal, or in line with the cam shart. Luckily I did this with the head and oil pane removed. (I would like to thank the members who advised me of the ability to remove the pan with out removing the engine again( THANK YOU!

The gears are not straight, so you will have to be one gear to the left or right to get to the proper position. Start with engine at the number one firing positon, mark the bottom of the oil pump gear when it is in a horizontal position in relation to the camshart and start one tooth to the left or right of where you should be until the rotor on
the distributor is at the number one firing position.

I guess this is simple stuff, but it is nowhere to be found in the Packard literature