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Anybody out there in Packard land have an easier way to time a Standard Eight than pulling the starter out and static timing it with the flywheel mark and a light bulb? I was thinking I might be able to crank start it with the starter out and time it with a gun. I think I have a pretty good handle on the rest of the process. Thanks in advance...

Scott

I've done my 34 Eight that way many times; you can get quite accurate and with a compression ratio of only about 5 to 1, a few degrees either way doesn't make any difference anyway. It was only some time later that I realized that by 34 there were timing marks on the front vibration damper as well, have you checked yours carefully?

No, I haven't checked the damper too closely but I'm sure there isn't a reference pointer to go off of... Do you think there is a major difference between static and dynamic timing, allowing for distributor play etc???

How accurate static timing will be depends in part on how careful you are. What I've often done is to use a rubber band hooked onto one end of the rotor and gently remove the backlash in the distributor drive shafts and gearing. Since mechanics back in the days before strobe lights succeeded to getting accurate timing, so should we be able to. You really should have no apprehension about it.

G'day all, I had the same problem with my Fifth Series, until I removed the starter, set the timing pointer to the appropriate static timing BTDC. I then got a piece of coat hanger wire and bent it into a pointer across the front harmonic balancer or pulley. (most earlier Series had a pulley only), attached the other end of the wire (in a small loop), to a timing cover bolt so that it sat very much like a later timing pointer. I then white painted a stripe on the harmonic balance to co-incide with the flywheel mark. The pointer now saves me having to remove
the starter to time the engine and works very well with a power timing light. There should not be a backlash issue if you always rotate the engine in the normal running direction to the timing position. I normally use a 12V light with the two power leads connected to a separate battery source from the 6V car battery. The inductive pick-up lead still clamps to your No.1 lead. I can take some pics if you need them. Best regards, Peter Toet

I, as well, am going to have to tackle my timing soon. That sounds like a very good solution to reduce the number of times the starter needs to be removed. Pictures would be great.

G'day all, Here is a pic of the pointer which I have attached to each of my Packards without a factory item. It saves removing the starter or trying to stretch your neck on the late thirties Juniors to see tne mark under the starter (removing the two inch cover). Good luck and best regards Peter Toet

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Thanks for the sage advice guys, I will let you know how it goes...