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My 39 120 recently sputtered to a stop after running great for months. I towed it home, and it pull started, but ran badly. The carb is freshly rebuilt by an expert,i.e. not me. It is getting fuel in the barrel and squirts fuel from the nozzles when pumped. The spark is a weak blue spark. I replaced the coil but no improvement.

The distributor is an Autolite. I have a spare one, I think from a 40 Packard I used to own. It is an IGP 4502C. It looks the same as the one on the car, but has a different set of points. It has a one piece one, similar to a Chevy. The one on the car has a split set of points, that adjust using a set of distributor wrenches rather than a screwdriver.

Question - will the spare one work on my 39 120?
Second question - any suggestions on where to look for problems on the one on the car?

Thanks

Physically, the '40 distributor should fit your '39. I would burnish and adjust the points and lube the cam while the distributor is on the bench. Don't forget to lightly oil the felt under the rotor and fill the cup with grease. This would be a good time to check and make sure the mechanical advance is free and functioning and that the vacuum advance chamber is not leaking. Nice to have a spare distributor to exchange. If this does not fix you problem, then you get to look elsewhere, and can rule out the distributor.

(o{}o)

Just curious, do you have a weak blue spark on all cylinders? Are your plug wires in good shape*? Is there any evidence of burning on your distributor cap?

*For example, if you grab a spark plug lead while the engine is cranking over and get a shock, your plug wire or cap are sho%&#$#$..damn that hurt.

I replaced the coil (probably not needed) and cleaned and regapped the points. The later was 98% of the problem, but it wasn't helped by two loose spark plug wires and some misgapped spark plugs. I went back to the lessons I got from an old mechanic in the early 60's, working on a 39 Chevy - you know, the basic tuneup! The car is now running great and I'm taking it and the 51 to local car show today.

A most salubrious result!