Re: 37 120 ignition points replacement and timing

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2014/4/22 8:40:23

I'm not sure what the "stud" is that you speak of, but best practice for installing points is to remove the distributor. This gives you the opportunity to check it thoroughly for worn cam or shaft bushings, lubricate the breaker plate and centrifugal advance weights, check the ground strap, etc. Also if the points are the the two-piece set, you'll want to use a loupe to adjust the contact faces. And whenever you replace the points you should also replace the condenser. And don't forget to oil the felt wick under the rotor.

As to timing, several options - you can either do it "by ear" or just use a timing light - if it's a 12-volt light just hook it up to a 6-volt battery charger. I know about the timing marks on the flywheel, but have you checked for timing marks also on the vibration damper? It helps to put a dab of contrasting paint on both the pointer and the proper degree line. You can also get timing pretty close by doing it statically, put a 6-volt test bulb across the points and set the #1 piston to the compression stroke and on the flywheel timing mark and then just adjust the distributor (without invoking the centrifugal advance!) so the bulb is just flickering.

You might browse this for a little familiarity on distributors:http://www.packardclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=861

For timing:http://www.packardclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=865