Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

If you have fuel and spark then you have the fundamentals, so it could be some 'subset' of these that's the problem . . .

Does any cylinder fire when you are cranking? Is it totally dead? (Totally dead would tend to indicate fuel mixture / timing badly wrong / insufficient or intermittent spark / electrical problem / air supply).

The ether spray is a good idea, and don't you love the stuff? (Over here we have a brand called 'Start Ya Bastard'). Just beware that you tread cautiously with ether based sprays. I took the eyebrows off my son when his engine backfired while using the stuff. We'd been cranking it for a few seconds so the ether built up quite a bit. Hell I laughed. HUGE blue flash and thunderclap explosion! He couldn't see what was so funny about it though. . . .

How old is your fuel? If stale then replace it.

I don't know how timing could vary through an overheating instance, but timing out of whack would make for difficult starting also.

Next - you say the coil is sparking but suggest you check that spark is getting to each plug ok. Cleaning plugs is a bit 'what if' so consider fitting a new set if all else fails. Just a couple of dud plugs can prevent starting.

I reckon have a chat to the guys that towed you, see if they did something that may be causing the problem. I don't know if coolant could have 'blocked' your air filter but that's another thing to check. Best of luck.