Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I was building a couple of distributors today, checked specifications and wondered why so different. I only have a Studebaker Shop Manual, so if anyone has a Packard Shop Manual to confirm are these the same in there:

Stude Shop Manual - Autolite distributor 32 degrees centrifugal, 22 degrees vacuum, 5 degrees BTDC timing. The 5 initial plus 32 centrifugal would be 37 total.

A.E.A. Tune up system chart - Delco distributor 26 degrees centrifugal, 17.5 degrees vacuum, 10 degrees BTDC timing. The 10 initial plus 26 centrifugal would be 36 total.

Main question is does the Packard Shop Manual say 5 degrees initial for Autolite and 10 degrees initial for Delco?

thnx, jack vines

You didn't say which year distributor but here is 55 out of 55-6 shop manual (downloadable on the site) 56 is listed in supplement section.

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Also remembered in 56 they made a change from dists listed in shop manual. Those new dist specs are listed on TB56-14 for Senior cars and TB56-19 for Clippers. Also available here on site.

5640 uses AL IBJ-4001D Ign timing 5 degrees BTDC.
vacuum 24 degrees @ 12.5 Hg.
governor 28 degrees @3400 rpm

5660 uses AL IBJ-4001C Ign timing 5 degrees BTDC.
vacuum 20 degrees @ 13 Hg.
gov 30 degrees 4000 rpm.


5680 uses DR 1110865 Ign timing 10 degrees BTDC.
vacuum 16 degrees @ 15 Hg.
gov 24 degtrees 4000 rpm.

5688 uses DR 1110873 Ign timing 10 degrees BTDC.
vacuum 10 degrees @ 16 Hg.
gov 20 degrees 2600 rpm.

Thanks for the prompt reply. An inference would be:

Autolite was used on Clippers and Golden Hawks, which could be had with a manual transmission, so less initial advance was used.

Delco was used on the senior cars, which could not be had with manual, so more initial advance was used.

Second, 30 degrees total timing as the specs furnished above is way short, so Packard must have been having some complaints about pinging.

thnx, jack vines

As mentioned, they made a change mid 56. Not sure if signifcant, but those specs appear a bit different than the above listed.

Jack. It is probably best to check the STB's that HH56 has cited.

I double checked the 5688 specs and they are correct as listed above with what is in the Packard service manual.

I'm wondering if the service manual is a misprint on the 5688. I've found other misprints in it from time to time. The manual i used was a factory original and not a re-print.

Probably are in agreement with manual. Don't think they changed the 5688 except in special cases as they said it hadn't appeared a problem. Because of detonation though, in April 56 they changed the Delco distributor by issuing a kit that changed the curves. In May, they revised the Autolite but also said to use the Delco in place of Autolite if needed.

Still more questions than answers. Lots of detail differences between manuals:

Autolite IBJ4001C Centrifugal advance 32 degrees
Per Studebaker Vacuum advance 22 degrees
Shop Manual Timing 5 degrees BTDC

5660 - AL IBJ-4001C timing 5 degrees BTDC.
vacuum 20 degrees @ 13 Hg.
centrifugal 30 degrees @ 4000 rpm.

Delco 1110865 Centrifugal advance 1-3@450, 7-9@900,9.5-11.5@1600, 11-13@2000
Vacuum advance 7-9" starts, 8.75@14.5-15.25"
Timing 10 degrees BTDC

5680 - DR 1110865 timing 10 degrees BTDC.
vacuum 16 degrees @ 15 Hg.
centrifugal 24 degrees @ 4000 rpm.

thnx, jack vin es