Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hi there,

Wow, I'm back on board after a busy period and I have already a question for the engine specialists... .

You may remember that my 5622 Clipper engine made some ticking noise.
With a friend we've checked out what was wrong and we decided to change the hydraulic valve tappets. We saw also that one lifter rod was going banana. I ordered 16 pcs of the tappets, a new rod and the necessary gaskets at Kanter.

We did the job, we found 4 defective tappets ( 3 with a broken spring and 1 'exploded' one; the one with the 'banana' rod ), everything renewed - so far so good - but when we cranked the engine the engine ran not fine at all; the ticking noise was completely gone ( great !! ) but the engine had no power and when the accelerater was touched the engine did not respond immediately.

We checked out if the ignition timing was still OK, but my strobolamp didn't respond, we tried to adjust it manual ( like you're in the jungle... ) and the engine became a lot better running smooth and the respond of the pedal was also much better.

Right now I have to fine adjust the timing, but... I've found 3 different values of timing degrees.

Can anyone help me what the correct timing value I should have to adjust?

Is it indeed 5? BTDC ???

Until now the cold start isn't smoothless, the choke works, but when started cold I have to keep him alive with giving a bit gas, when the engine runs 5 minutes it stays running without help and it runs fine. Is this also caused by the ignition timing? The vacuum hoses are intact.

Thanks for your help !!


Grtz,

Xavier

Greetings, Xavier,

1. Did you inspect the camshaft to determine what caused the lifter failure? That everything is quiet now is a good sign.
2. What is the P/N of your distributor? Some distributors require 5 degrees BTDC and some 10 degrees.
3. Verify with a timing light you are getting the vacuum and centrifugal advance as per specification.

thnx, jack vines

thnx jack vines

Hi Jack,

The camshaft has been inspected, the surface where the contact is made is OK, you can see that the shaft has been used during 53 years, but the wearing seems to be normal, there isn't a deep groove or flattening because of scraping. I suppose the problem was caused by tappet failure.

I don't know the type of distributor but I will check it out and post it here. I suppose everything is still stock.

Thanks


Xavier

I can't figure out the number of the distributor but there is a tag mentionning DELCO... .

Should it be 5 or 10? with a Delco?

Thx,

Xavier

Nobody an idea?

Xavier

Should it be 5 or 10? with a Delco?

There was a change in distributor for the Seniors, from Delco 1110873 to 1110880. This is clearly identified in the parts book, available on this website for you to become familiar with, if you have time. This was to address concerns about unavailability in certain locales of gasoline of sufficient octane and is all covered in the TSBs also on this site. There were changes in the timing recommendations as well, I think.

But I don't really think you want to time you car "by the book" anyway, gasoline is too different today from what it was back then. I'd strongly recommend that you time "by ear", making sure you're using the grade of gasoline you intend to regularly use, and timing to give just a hint of preignition on a hard pull with a engine at operating temperature. Far better method than just picking a number from a half-century ago when so much has happened to the fuel and perhaps to your engine.

Okidoki !

We'll try it that way, but probably between 5 and 10? I suppose.

Thanks for the answer.

Grtz,

Xavier

Hi,


The timing setting has been adjusted to improve motor managment.

The ignition has been adjusted to 12?, then the engine runs very smoothly and is 'hot on the wire' when the accelerator is operated.

The idling speed seems to be at its best when its about 900-950 rpm, below that the engine begins to shake and wobbling.

Is this value correct? ( I was thinking it might be a bit high? )

Remark:
When we put the engine timing to 5? as described in the service manual and owners manual, the engine runs 'square' and comes retarded when the accelerator is touched.


Grtz,

Xavier

If you have the late revision to the distributor, those values are in tech bulletin 56T-19. The idle speed is a bit high because according to the bulletin the centrifugal advance will be coming in well before that speed so might be throwing your reading off. Packard still recommended the 5 degrees but then went on to mention that it could wind up more or less depending on other factors.

Try setting the timing with a vacuum gauge. Adjust the timing for highest vacuum reading at idle.

On old cars with rubber mounted front pulleys, the rubber sometimes slips throwing off the adjustment. Some are way off, like 20 degrees off.

If the new setting cures the problem, but the timing marks are way off, that is a good sign the timing marks are from Jupiter.