Packard Forum Index » Project Blogs

Didn't realize yours are the 1/4 ones. Guess I'm used to the V8s and think those are the smaller ones.

Howard, the throttle linkages are larger that the ones on the carb itself, so I am assuming it's a 1/4". But I haven't measure it to be sure.

So I was investigating why my Inductive Timing Light is acting wacky. So with motor running, the timing light will trigger whether the inductive pickup is connected or not. Kill the motor, and the light stops. So I thinking there must be some type of feedback. So I run the timing light off another 12v battery, and car the motor run on it's own 12v battery. Problem returns. This with the timing light not hooked to the car in any way, and about 4 ft away from the car. Stop the motor and the light stops.

So I start poking around on the internet, and I guess some inductive timing lights go crazy around solid core ignition wire (IE Packard 440 wire). I guess they bled a ton of EMF that causes the inductive pickup to false trigger.

I wonder why it's throwing off so much interference. Perhaps my rotor doesn't have the carbon button on it. I am using non-resistor spark plugs also (AC-45).

Hmmmm...... I guess I need to find a non-inductive timing light. Do they even make those anymore?

I don't know Kev, we do motorcycles with Packard 440 solid core wire with inductive timing lights all the time. Never seen any issue. Same with the resistor plugs. Sounds like you setup is very sensitive.

Do you know where you could borrow one from?

Jim

Maybe you could use the old wires if you still have them, at least to set the timing for now?

1. did this problem with timing lite occur before????
2. hook timing lite to different engine (lawn mower maybe) to see if problem persistes.
3. connect pic-up at or near spark plug. Not at cap.
4. make sure other plug wires are not crossing or near the plug wire to which the lites pic-up is attached.

I bought this timing light several months ago, but this is the first time I have used it. Like I said before if the timing light is even near the car it starts to go crazy with the engine running. Thats with the timing light connected to a different 12v source, and the induction wire not even connected to anything. Kill the motor, and the light stops.

Would something like a faulty condenser or a leaking coil cause this kind of EMF interference?

Would something like a faulty condenser or a leaking coil cause this kind of EMF interference?

Not that I've every heard of, encountered, or can even envision happening. Strange.

I dont have the old wires as they were completely shot. I guess as a test I could pick up a set of AC-45R's plugs from the parts store and see what that does.

I can only imagine what this kind of interference would do to the radio in the car.

try it on a different car. Lite's probably bad. What brand is it????