Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

OK, again-- pull plug #1, put a finger over the hole, bump the starter around until you get a burst of air out of the spark plug hole, then fine-bump the starter until the timing mark is at TDC. Look at where the rotor is--that is where wire #1 needs to be. Do what you need to do to get wire #1's position to that point and turn the distributor a few degrees (minor amount) in OPPOSITE DIRECTION of the rotation, just until the points break in that direction. Then follow the timing order from the manfold as you plug in the rest of the wires. It should start with no problem, then you can dial it in the rest of the way with a timing light. DON'T go by pictures, they don't apply to your situation.

Henry,

Just gotta pop in here. You know so much about cars that at first I coudn't understand why you were having this much confusion (NOT that I'm an expert), but then I happened to think: This man has probably never before done serious ignition work on a car with a distributor! Times change.

you are correct, i have never done....well any of this really. my first trans rebuild...my first engine, my first car to restore.

i've only ever bolted on stuff and all on stuff with computers. coil overs are what i'm used to. the wire just sits there when you unplug it so no need to figure out where it goes...it only goes in one place. this is probably why i thought there was a location on the distributor to just start at without doing anything. i was wrong.

if this car comes together without blowing up...it'll be a miracle.

but i did figure out where number one was....check my blog.