Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Normally I'm on the Prewar Forum discussing my 1940 Packard with a 356 engine. However, just opened distributor to replace points for the first time and found I have a model IGP5402E distributor form a 1954 Packard! Getting the points which are different from the ones in the original model IGT 4102 is not a problem. The problem is adjusting the timing. The hold down bracket which has two bolt holes (one round the other elongated) seems to be fixed to the distributor outer casing. To have any adjustment at all for the timing, the bolt in the round hole has to be left out, which is what the previous owner did, and am limited to the adjustment allowed by the other elongate bolt hole, is this correct?
Thanks

This is the Autolite distributor where the vacuum chamber turns the entire distibutor? In which case, just loosen the screw that fixes the vac advance pull-rod to the bracket on the periphery of the dist. body and rotate the dist. to achieve your desired timing. Retighten the screw. With this style there is no need to move the bracket bolted to the engine block.

Thank you! After your information about loosing the vacuum advance screw , setting the timing was easy. Guess I looked right at it and just didn't make the connection. The previous owned apparently didn't either, which was the reason he obviously elongated one of the block fastening bolt holes and left the second bolt out all together in an effort to achieve just a little timing adjustment.
Thanks again