Quote:
In the specification section for 56s, the listing for distributor for senior cars is incorrectly listed as a delco 1110865. That was the first distributor used early in the run; because it gave problems with pinging it was replaced/upgraded to the delco 1110880. Timing specs differ for these units.
The manual specs are for the later unit.
Unless my eyes deceive me, I see NO error in the 55-6 shop manual.
Distributor #1110865 and the respective specifications shown in the shop manual for the 5680 chassis ARE correct for those vehicles built prior to March 5, 1956 - UNLESS they have been converted to distributor #1110880. A bulletin on this matter advised of a kit for field service, which also included a new number identification plate to be installed on the distributor housing for future service and provided the specifications for distributor #1110880.
However, that conversion kit was ONLY to be installed in the field when a condition of engine detonation (ping) was encountered with premium gasoline. It is entirely possible, then, that some of those "early" 5680 cars still have distributor #1110865 (that is, if owners did not report a problem).
Meanwhile, Delco distributor #1110865 went on to be used in production on the 5640-60-70 chassis as a substitute for Auto-Lite equipment - also effective March 5, 1956. So, the shop manual specs for #1110865 are also correct for those models (like my dad's Exec). However, a second conversion kit was released, on April 5, 1956, but only for those cars built
prior to March 5, with Auto-Lite equipment.
While any mechanic worth his salt ought to know enough to check the unit identification numbers prior to service, I will admit that they might not have had access to the updated service information. However, this information can be found via the topic of "Detonation..." under the
Engine section of the
1955-1956 (55th-56th Series) installment of this site's exclusive
Packard Service Index. Document links are provided for each topic and each of the relevant bulletins are available for download (and printing) - for FREE.
Yet, as someone else noted in another thread, decades old specifications might not be quite so compatible, now, with so much ethanol in modern fuel blends.
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