Re: 1950 Packard 288 Auto overheating HELP

Posted by Jim L. in OR On 2014/9/11 17:15:09

A service station owner I knew by the name of John Wright taught me most of what I know about engines. He was one of those men who could listen to a car pull into the station and diagnose any problem the engine had by the time the driver had reached the pump and shut the engine down. And he diagnosed the engine correctly!

He once told me that it was senseless to set timing by the factory spec on old cars. The reason he gave had to do with the harmonic balancer, being part rubber, shifting over time. I may have not got the rubber part right, and may not apply to Packards, but the upshot is that the best way to time an engine in an old car is by ear. He said when it's right, regardless of what the pointer is pointing to, you'll hear it and feel it and know that the engine is happy.

For what it's worth.