Re: Distributors and advance curves - how many did Packard build?

Posted by John Payne On 2010/6/18 2:09:48

G'day Jack, funny how topics come along just at the right time.

I've just put my distributor in for reconditioning and was asked about the advance curve. Of course I only knew what is in the Service Manual, so I am very interested in whatever info you have on this topic. I have a '56 Patrician with a 374 and it's distributor is a Delco #1110865 (my spare is a #1110873).

Some time ago I fitted a Pertronix kit (#1183) into it and it has been performing well, with no problems. That is, apart from the timing varying occasionally, which we think might be due to sticking centrifugal advance weights, hence the need for reconditioning. I have also fitted the Pertronix 40K volt coil.

I have also fitted NGK plugs (#BPR5ES) which seem to work fine (I always go for NGK in all cars in the family), although I have never been sure what gap I should use, opting for a "loose" 35 thou. Should it be bigger? The R in the number relates to a resistor which is good for minimising radio interference.

Any info I can get about the advance curve would be greatly appreciated as I want to avoid as much pinging as I can with today's modern unleaded fuel, whilst not sapping power or mileage if I can avoid it.

Cheers, John