Packard Forum Index » General

I need some help and please forgive me if I posted in wrong place. I don’t know how to work this forum very well. I have a customer that has a 51 packard straight 8. No spark. During testing I found no current flow from coil to inside the distributor this is caused by a small black case that says auto lite on it. Inside is is a small is a small light bulb. I used just a basic jumper wire with alligator clips to make vehicle run. But I’m having trouble finding out what this part is and how to get a new one. This car is all original and very clean so I’d like to help my customer keep it that way. Having trouble finding a web site to be able to order parts also like points and condenser… thanks in advance. Again forgive me I’m a modern car tech first ever Packard I’ve seen.

There is no stock part like than on a Packard but maybe some photos will help identify it. The forum is not difficult to use once you get used to it but to add images which you can do to your original post or by posting a reply to it, you need to press the Upload after selecting each one. If selecting only one photo, there is no need to press upload.

A photo would be nice showing the object but it is not stock. The only item added to a distributor by the factory was a radio noise suppressor that I believe is a resistor which is installed in the center terminal HV wire coming from the coil. Those came in different shapes and sizes.

Some of the distributors had a fairly large condenser on the outside of the distributor body but most had the regular small internal condensers. Neither of those had a light bulb.

Attach file:

---

  suppressor.jpg (101.32 KB)

It’s defiantly stock type of parts from that time period but I have no clue if it belongs. I’d assume since it is all original. But here are some pics. Thank you for your time.

Attach file:

---

  IMG_0373.jpeg (179.25 KB)


  IMG_0372.jpeg (167.55 KB)


  IMG_0371.jpeg (145.54 KB)

This was connected between the coil and the distributor. Has another wire that goes to coil bun runs off toward firewall

No idea what that is and never saw one on any Packard and I’ve owned many from ‘39 to ‘56. I am currently working on a ‘51 that has nothing like that.

Same here in the wiring diagrams nothing even videos from this forum it just shows a basic wire. I guess I’ll just use a regular wire to keep it running. Thanks for your help

There should be only the wire from the ignition switch to the coil as these 6v positive ground Packards did not use a resistor either as later 12v cars did.

The small black unit is an Auto-Lite Point Guard which is intended to reduce excessive current draw during idling and low speed driving according to the Merchandising Items section at the back of their 1954 catalog for service parts. An online search will turn up photos to confirm.
It is an aftermarket item and is not required for the 1951 Packard.

I've never seen one. It would work as a resistor and would pulsate or flash at low engine speeds. Very cool. Probably doubled gas mileage and stopped carbon formation and increased top speeds by 30%.