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

Hey Guys,
I need a little help regarding the ignition timing on my '40 110.

The manual describes "with the fuel compensator set at zero spark should occur in No. 1 as per the data...."

Can someone shed some light on the fuel compensator?
Is this the graduated scale on the side of the distributor?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,

If you're talking about the gauge that indicates ignition timing adv or retarded, yes. It was there so you could adjust ignition timing for different quality fules. (lower quality = more retarded and vice versa.)

Set that to zero and then time your engine accordingly. Lets say your engine runs great at 8 degrees btdc. That's your ignition timing. Then the fuel compensator is at zero. Then you get bad fuel and, according to the compensator, you retard it a couple degrees. Then you get good gas, and set that back to zero. You're back to the optimal timing you had set originially, 8 degrees.

NOW i have never worked on one of these on a packard, i believe the one i played with was on a straight 8 pontiac. You could set the compensator separately than the ignition timing and it was more like a timing indicator RELATIVE to your ignition timing. If it's just an ignition timing indicator, then it would report actual ignition timing and you'd have to remember what to set it back to if you changed it for fuel reasons.


Hope that makes sense and someone with actual packard experience chimes in, that's just what i recall from another motor i played with for a minute.

Yes the fuel compensator is the gradulated scale you describe. Does it look like this one?

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and another pict from a different year.

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Thanks Guys,
You're answered my question. I've really struggled this week trying to get this car to run smoothly. I've rechecked everything several times and this was one question that I had.
I assume that this would have a major impact on the timing if not set correctly.........

Regards, Steve P

Just remember that the is adjustable and if someone played with it you could be out by several degrees. The purpose was to allow a car owner to adjust the timing quickly without a timing light to allow for different quality fuels. It is a handy devise.

Dave,
Thanks for the input.
Regards,
Steve P