Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Been awhile, have completely rebuilt the engine and restored the frame and floorboards mid car forward over the winter. Engine is extremely quiet now

Running nicely but isn't quite right. Couple of issues / questions:
1- On vacuum advance cars I have worked on in the past, timing is done with vacuum advance port blocked off. I do not see that in any manual for the Packard's. Is vacuum advance suppose to be connected while setting timing?

2- Rebuilt the distributor as well. Noticed that the vacuum advance unit did not have the "return" spring in it. Can't find one anywhere. I scrounged my box of springs and found one that I "feel" is close and am using it, but without a distributor machine (nor the advance specs) shooting in the dark. Anyone with ideas for finding the spring? How about ignition curve for the advance?

3- The distributor clamp is tired. I attempted to straighten it but the metal is weak, Can't seem to get it tight enough as it seems to wander after a couple road trips. Looking for the hold down clamp, ideas?

Motor sure turned out nice

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I would say that instructions for setting the timing without disconnecting the vacuum line is because the vacuum source to the distributor is in a port above the carburetor throttle plates. With the engine at the proper RPMs the port is not exposed to vacuum and therefore it is not necessary to disconnect the line. Still, it does not hurt to disconnect the line.

Thanks JW, makes sense. It does state to set fuel compensator to zero. Any idea what that is?

Just verified mechanical advance is working, did see a couple degree change in timing with vacuum line off at idle and line plugged.

Use to they had a small scale marked that was at the base of the distributor. According to the octane of the gas you would loosen it and advance or retard the timing some. On Chevy they were labeled an octane selector

Fascinating PTV, thank you

As for the compensator, I was referring to it as the distributor hold down bracket. I straightened out the bent ears, tack welded across an area that they rolled the metal and it seems quite strong now

Here it is in all its glory! This one is from my 115C.

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Looks like a particularly well preserved NOS piece, John!!! Nice job.
Somebody posted an upgrade to the tightening nut on the site a short while back and it looked like it made it a whole lot easier to access. Did you see that one?? I intend to adapt mine that way, but have so many things to chase, I haven't gotten anywhere near 'around to it', yet! Chris.

Chris, this photo was taken before I changed the short clamp bolt with a longer one and a short piece of tubing. The octane adjuster fixture was original to my Packard.

Yours looks like a much newer and user friendly model than mine. I do not have the handy dial extending out. You have to loosen the two bolts to dial in the advance/retard and can't see the scale too easily based on it's location

Hey John(s) ...yes, I agree with you jwblazek, JW's DOES look like a newer and better version than I/we have. Sounds like we have the same unit and it is anything but user-friendly. Irrespective John's repaired/refurbished piece looks top-drawer to me. Chris.