Thank you for your kind and informed replies. As I suspected, the plug wires were all off by one position. Moving them all one spot got me in range for timing without moving the distributor body out of the standard position in order to get the timing in range. I do not know the pedigree of the car or its previous owners. It appears that someone took good very good care of the car and at some point, did not continue. The car then was allowed to weather and deteriorate significantly. It's been a long time since it has run. The motor was painted sky blue but hard to tell if it has been apart. Pretty sure the oil pump gear is in the right place. Everything I see looks right but needs careful attention to ensure no damage is done on the first start. Compression is good, no stuck valves and there is 20psi of oil pressure on my test gage just cranking on the starter. I took out the distributor for cleaning and points and will replace the wobbly breaker plate and failed vacuum advance. Distributor bushings are in good shape with no apparent wear! Thanks again for the help and I will post the results when I pop it off for the first time.

Good Day! Wanting to buy the correct shoulder bolts and wave / flat washer hardware that thread into the block and hold down the Delco distributor octane plate on a 53 288. Anyone have these in good shape and willing to sell?

Thank you!

Good day all. I just bought a new to me 1953 26th Series Clipper with the 288. I will post in the registry when I get the photos out of my phone. I am working towards the first start. Car is equipped with the correct Delco distributor that is installed with the vacuum advance module with the hard vacuum line pointed forward, which looks correct from photos I have seen. Someone had messed with the spark plug wires and although the firing order is correct, it appears the wires are off by one position. Could someone indicate the factory location for the Number 1 Spark Plug Wire on the distributor cap? I want it to be correct and also be able to tune on the fly using the octane selector plate factory feature. Thanks!

I am Looking for the complete assembly in good shape. Are there any spares out there? Thanks all!

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https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/d/east-berlin-1948-packard-touring-sedan/7361704169.html

Hartford CT Craigslist

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Exactly what I am looking for and such a price! Wish it was closer. Nothing like that around Connecticut.

If the head is off the condition of the cylinders can easily be determined. Very rusty will require an overbore, and that equates to a rebuild but still be careful when getting it to turn. Patience. Cover the tops of the pistons with marvel mystery oil and let it sit for a week. It may drain down and that's good, just keep it to the depth of at least half an inch. Some people use other solutions like a mix of ATF and Acetone but for me that's too harsh. After the motor sits you can try to turn it using the large bolt on the crankshaft pulley. Turn it a very small amount in one direction and then the other, working it back and forth in small distances, keeping oil in the cylinders and increasing the distance each time. Don't force it! You must be careful or a piston ring will be broken. Take your time and see what happens. It's worth the effort. You may be rewarded with an engine that will run for you.