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Hello,

It's time to start the blog for the Panama. Soo I was trying to tune it up and put new plugs, cap, rotor, ect. picked up parts from napa got new wires they are not copper core like og hooked them up and no start. went through firing order, that checks out.Is it the wires? put old wires back on still no fire. Changed cap and installed new rotor to start have not changed points yet. Also set #1 to tdc looked like it was off so I moved rotor to what I thought was tdc. nope look at the manual first dummy!!!manual has #1 set at 37 degrees so I need to put it back where it's supposed to be. Should I use copper core wires? Bad thing is car ran before!!

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Try putting the old rotor back in, and check to make sure that the points are properly adjusted and the condenser is not grounded out.

Along with the condenser, check the flexible cloth covered wire between the points and the outside terminal. Just changing the rotor and your fingers could have touched and moved the wire. The old cloth insulation is fragile and if it was rotten a piece could have fallen off and let the wire short in a hidden spot under the top plate.

The wire has caught several others and given symptoms identical to yours. If it does turn out to be a problem, it is a special ultra flexible wire that can handle the movement as the weights and vacuum advance constantly adjusts the plate the points are mounted on.

Easy way to check for a shorted wire or condenser is use a voltmeter. With the key on, at the low voltage terminal on the side of the distributor if the points are open and all is OK there should be several volts measured to ground. If points are closed or there is a short the voltage will not read more than a few tenths above ground. Bump the engine a couple of times to ensure the points open and close as you watch the meter. If the meter jumps up and down several volts then the dist wire, points and condenser is most likely OK. If it never or barely moves suspect a problem in the dist.

If you need a replacement, ordinary wire is too stiff and will not work for very long before it breaks. Napa might have a flex wire or there are ebay vendors who carry them. Just try to find a wire near the length of yours and I would recommend not trying to change it in any way. Definitely no soldering extra length on but if you can't tuck in extra safely away from rotating parts and must shorten, carefully use a crimp terminal. Even then it is setting up a weak spot that could concentrate all the flexing and break.

Here are a few that Napa may still carry but chances of finding them locally get slimmer ever day.

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Whooo Hooo running again now to fix brakes still think I'm off a tooth or two though. the tune up chart leaves much to be desired!!

Good Morning...May I ask what made the old girl fire up? Thanks, Ernie in Arizona

If you look at the AEA tune up chart the firing order looks like it goes clock wise the rotor on my Clipper turns counter clockwise so the firing order is opposite of the tune up chart. The person who put the wires on backwards shall remain nameless!!

Good Packard morning...Thank you for letting us know. We have all done similar things and then been stumped! I know I have...Enjoy your day. Ernie in Arizona

This gave me a chuckle but glad to hear that it was worked out in the end. Good job in discovering the problem!

Hi Mike,

Looking forward to this blog, since I love the '55 Clippers. That looks like a really solid car.

If you get a chance, post some more pics of the car.

Paul

so, I brought the parts car home and I received a box of paperwork with it. Found the title to the turquoise car in with all of the other stuff. I now have a full extra set of manuals if anyone needs them. About the parts car, it is kinda complete but has lots of dents. I'm thinking of trying to take the dents out of the roof and that will determine what happens with it. I really hope it turns out ok as I like the color combo. the motor also turns over. Keep you posted!!

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