Re: "Waking Sleeping Beauty"
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Forum Ambassador
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The coil could have been the source of sudden failure and some have been known to do just that when hot only to work again when cold. Reversing the polarity would not have done it by itself--the coil will work either way.
The thing about the coil polarity is efficiency is not as good when hooked up backwards because the spark wants to jump from the shell to the center electrode instead of the other way. With the shell always being cooler, and sparks more efficient when generated from a hot surface, in the case of marginal plugs or other problems the spark would not be as powerful if backwards and there could be misfires or a hard start. Assuming you have the original coil then dist would be pos and bat would be negative terminal on yours. You could reverse if you wanted the battery the other way. If you want to check yours, here is a link to a way.mgaguru.com/mgtech/ignition/ig104.htm If you do use the pencil method, remember graphite is a decent conductor so stay on the wood or you might get a jolt. One further note: with the ign switch problem you found, that would also be an excellent source for the sudden quit.
Posted on: 2010/12/29 17:14
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Howard
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Re: "Waking Sleeping Beauty"
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Home away from home
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Hey Howard & Craig -
As you both predicted; switching batteries solved the problem. As to the future; even though I have a tendency to want to keep things original, on this I think I'll let it ride for two reasons. One: It's easier to drop in the battery the right way than to get under the dash and switch terminals. Two: Since I plan on keeping this car a LONG time leaving it Negative Ground will save having to explain things to AAA service people should I need a jump or should I get solid state parts like for the T-L or a hidden sound system. As for the coil, I'm going to replace it anyway so I'll just hook the new one up accordingly. I think I will work up a notice to put by the battery that it is Negative Ground on the off chance that someone who actually knows Packards might work on it in the future. Anyway: Howard & Craig - thank you so much for your help! My newly acquired Positive Ground comfort level I'll save for my '51.
Posted on: 2010/12/29 17:28
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1951 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan
1951 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan (parts ?) 1951 Patrician Touring Sedan 1955 Patrician Touring Sedan |
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Re: "Waking Sleeping Beauty"
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Home away from home
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Happy to help and glad that you can move on to the next fix.
Craig
Posted on: 2010/12/29 17:39
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Nuke them from orbit, it's the only way to be sure! Ellen Ripley "Aliens"
Time flies like an arrow. Frui |
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Re: "Waking Sleeping Beauty"
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Home away from home
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Howard: Thank you once again for your knowledge and the coil info page!
Your thought about the coil quitting and then coming back may explain why the older owner's got it to "pop" once when the got it home. I too have thought about the role the ignition switch could play in this - I'm ordering a new one. I beginning to think there was sort of a sudden "perfect (electrical) storm" out on that freeway in 1985. When I e-mailed the guy I bought the car from today he reminded me of how it died. Anyway I plan to go through the electrical system first. A side note: When I was under the dash looking at the gauge wiring I couldn't help but notice how fresh and supple all the wires were for being 55 years old. I'm starting to suspect that this car has been re-wired - perhaps prior to its sale to Matthew's Memory Lane Motors. If I'm right, the polarity was probably switched at that time. Thanks again, guys -
Posted on: 2010/12/29 17:48
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1951 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan
1951 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan (parts ?) 1951 Patrician Touring Sedan 1955 Patrician Touring Sedan |
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Re: "Waking Sleeping Beauty"
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Home away from home
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Hi again group,
This afternoon I made it out to take another look at the electrical system on my '55 Patrician. Aside from the polarity issue, you may recall that the ignition switch had issues like running the starter in every position but "Off". I figured the next item to explore was the Ballast Resistor or Coil Resistor as it's called in the FSM. According to that book the Delco Coil Resistor on a 1955 Packard Patrician should be between 1.40 to 1.65 Ohms. Mine registered at 0.00 - I even took it off the car and into the house to clean it up and it still came up with 0.00. The Ohm Meter checked out on another "known" item so it wasn't the meter. I was told that the car "died" on the freeway - I wonder how it even got there! This would explain the story I was told that the owners before last could get the engine to fire, but not run I suppose. Depending on the weather warming up a little here the next quest will be checking the Distributor.
Posted on: 2011/1/3 19:41
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1951 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan
1951 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan (parts ?) 1951 Patrician Touring Sedan 1955 Patrician Touring Sedan |
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Re: "Waking Sleeping Beauty"
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Home away from home
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Quote:
According to that book the Delco Coil Resistor on a 1955 Packard Patrician should be between 1.40 to 1.65 Ohms. Mine registered at 0.00 - I even took it off the car and into the house to clean it up and it still came up with 0.00. Zero ohms is a dead short. However, this would not cause the ignition to quit, only run with more spark voltage until the points burnt out. I don't think that is your problem. Craig
Posted on: 2011/1/3 19:50
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Nuke them from orbit, it's the only way to be sure! Ellen Ripley "Aliens"
Time flies like an arrow. Frui |
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Re: "Waking Sleeping Beauty"
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Home away from home
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Jim,
Have you started a Project Blog on your'55? It would be nice to see all your progress in one spot, rather than trying to find it all later. I look forward to seeing your Packard come to life. Don
Posted on: 2011/1/3 19:57
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Re: "Waking Sleeping Beauty"
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Home away from home
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Thanks Craig,
Ohms and to some degree, electricity in general is an area in which I don't have a high degree of competence. I can rebuild an engine, but the electrical side..... From what you're saying, a peak under the distributor cap should prove interesting!
Posted on: 2011/1/3 20:03
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1951 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan
1951 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan (parts ?) 1951 Patrician Touring Sedan 1955 Patrician Touring Sedan |
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Re: "Waking Sleeping Beauty"
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Home away from home
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About that Coil Resistor!
I tried checking it again and this time got the correct reading - from time to time. I think I add a Coil Resistor to my shopping list. I'm hoping they don't care about polarity!?!?! The car came with a complete tune up kit that's only three years old - so the condenser should still be OK (I hope).
Posted on: 2011/1/4 0:04
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1951 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan
1951 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan (parts ?) 1951 Patrician Touring Sedan 1955 Patrician Touring Sedan |
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