Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hi Brain Trust,

I got my Patrician up and running and took her out for her first outing, she did well. Came home, parked in the driveway, took the daily out for a bit, then came back to do a swap around and the Patrician wouldn't start. I have looked at the fuel its getting to the carbie, there is power getting to the coil, but the ballast resister is getting quite hot, which I think maybe is the issue, but wanted confirmation. Or if there is something else wrong, idk. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Are you getting spark?.

Pull the coil wire.

Put it where you can see it. 1/8 inch from body. Turn engine over.
.
The spark should jump a 1\2 inch.

No spark check points.

I assume you were using fresh, high octane gas? The ballast resistor is supposed to get sort of hot. You may want to check how warm the carburetor is.

I'm assuming also you pumped the gas once or twice to reset the choke and prime it?

In that case I would check your spark as RH said, you can do it the old fashioned way but spark testers are only a few bucks and it's easier to use one while turning the key, if you don't have someone to help. Or just clean your points with emery paper and see if it fixes things.

If the points were closed and key was on and turned to the right for a length of time, the resistor will get fairly warm but not hot enough to smoke. The points can also overheat and oxidize when in that condition and could be a source of spark issues. Another all too common issue on long sitting cars brought back to use is components such as the condenser inside the distributor can suddenly fail, usually by shorting. That would also cause no spark and a hot resistor.

In addition to the above, the points may not be opening wide enough, or may not be opening at all. Points that have run a long time, or run on a dry distributor cam, may have a worn down rubbing block. As the block wears, the point gap shrinks and the points stay closed more of the time, which keeps current flowing through the resistor more of the time and may contribute to the points sticking or burning, since they never open as much as they should. I'd look carefully at the points and be sure they are in good condition, or better yet, replace them and the condenser and the resistor. Also be sure the distributor cam is in good condition and that the distributor shaft bushing is not worn.

It would also be a good idea to check the operation of the vacuum advance unit and the centrifugal advance mechanism.

Perhaps the resistor in the rotor burned out. This can happen suddenly. The best place for these resistor-rotors is in the trash bin. Replace with a non-resistor rotor.

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the delay in replying!!!

It was in fact the rotor button that had caused the issue. I have ordered the part and it is ready to install.

Thanks for all your help.

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Tigress1517, I would not use a new resistor rotor. Replace it with the non-resistor type. These resistor rotors are problematic. Why invest in a future problem?

Those things have left me on the side of the road more than once. You want one from a 56 Pontiac. They have no resistor.

At the very least put a couple of dabs of epoxy on the resistor to keep the wretched thing from falling out.

Standard bought kem. Have to cross reference.

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