Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Black and sooty means too rich. Either plugs are too cold of a heat range or timing too far retarded. What is the number on the sparking plugs????

Probably too rich a fuel/air mixture. Adjust your timing from the dash so you have just a hint of preignition on a hard pull and you can eliminate that as a possibility.

Dear KTS:

Glad to hear of improvement.

Why not pull the starter and set the timing.

The flywheel method is dead on and you can even pull the starter with the car running and use a timing light hooked to a 12 volt battery.

I would still buy or make a spark tester, then kill the motor on the road and pull a plug.

Black velvety soot indicates weak ignition.

After that proceed to carburetor.

Thanks again for the advice gents.

I did pull the starter out and set the timing from the TDC mark on the flywheel. I think it was too far advanced and the spark control on the dash couldn't overcome it.

I also shut the fuel setting down on the carb. The plugs were very sooty. Cleaned those and took another test ride and all much improved.

Thank goodness it didn't need an ECU reprogramming or a dozen sensors replacing !!