Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Purchased an Echlin RR158 distributor cap for my 1954 Packard Clipper Super L8cyl 327ci 165hp from NAPA. The RR158 part number is the one mentioned in the Packard Parts X-Ref on this site. When installed, seems like the rotor is hitting the contacts rather abruptly causing a loud pinging sound. I immediately uninstalled the new rotor cap and put on the old one. Does anyone else use this part number in their car or a different distributor cap part number? I looked at the old cap and could not find a part number on it.

Thanks Again

The rotor you used is one of the combinations on Napa's website so unless you got a faulty component, it should work. There are two rotors listed as compatible and they are different. You might go to their website and compare to your original.

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According to the Echlin parts page, RR158/RR159 is the correct combination for a '54 Packard Delco.

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No such thing as a faulty component which would cause it to hit. WE've sold 10,000 components and never encountered one with incorrect dimensions. Having sorted out a gazillion caps and rotors I realized the the designs since the mid-30's are quite ingenious. Caps have a certain mounting diameter anda keyway so you can't install the wrong one on your distributor. Rotors have keyways and other dimensions that do the same. Autolite, Delco, Motorcraft etc either collaborated or watched closely.

Perhaps you did not install the cap on straight, but then the clips may not reach the detents. The cap or rotor should have indication of interference.

Not in my experience. Did you by any chance get water in one of the spark plug wells? That will definitely mess up things. Just a little bit of water around the plug will cause it to misfire.