JW wrote:
Howard,

The Caribbean is equipped with a Delco ignition system. As you know, the Delco distributors came with a resistor rotor. The resistor burned out and the rotor failed.

The owner and another participant drove to all the area to various parts houses looking for a new rotor. None were to be had. This is strange, as this rotor must fit many cars from the period. They finally found one from yet another participant at the Stagecoach Inn.

Ironically, Feltz Terrill was at the Meet and at the Saturday swap meet was selling tune-up kits to fit the Delco V-8 distributor. I understand the owner bought a few of them.

Back in the day we used to replace these resistor rotors with conventional ones. The cars ran better and there was no increase in ignition noise on the radio. It was an FCC requirement to have suppression devices on vehicle ignition systems to lessen noise on radios and tvs.

For those V-8 Packards with Delco systems, I recommend replacing the resistor rotor with a conventional type.

The Clipper looked to be an unrestored car with lots of deferred maintenance items. It had a carburetor flooding problem, an over heating problem, and questionable ignition system. It was given the Hard Luck Driving award for its problems. Unfortunate experience for a first time attendee. I hope he comes back next year.

(o{}o)