38 Packard wont start

Posted by executivekev On 2010/5/18 17:52:51

I am working on a 1938 Packard Super 8, the car came to me to fix. I primarily work on English cars so you will have to forgive me with my lack of knowledge on these beautiful motorcars. The initial problem was a bad battery which was easy, after installing the battery and squirting starting fluid down the carb she fired right up, I took her for a drive and found it to be missing a little. After I came back I turned her off and had my morning cup of tea, I went back out to start her and no joy. I decided to change the points, condensor, cap and plugs. Because the car was stood for about 3 months I rebuilt the stromberg carb and the mechanical fuel pump, I figured I would give her a good overhaul. After doing all this the car will not start, I have spark from the coil and I have spark from all spark plugs when I lay the plugs out. The firing order is correct. The manual states that the timing marks are on the flywheel, I have looked everywhere but I cant find any. The only marks I can find is a 0 on the front pulley with a pointer on the front of the engine, which I would assume are the timing marks, I aligned the 0 with the pointer, #1 piston on the firing stroke, #1 being the front of the engine with the rotor pointing at #1 wire and no firing. The manual says 6 degrees before TDC which I have tried by setting just before 0. I have squirted starting fluid down the carb while moving the distributor slightly and still no firing. Any help would be greatly appreciated, Kevin.