Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

While driving a 55 Clipper Custom the engine will shut off. When I finally coast to the side and stop, I can restart the car with no problems. This happens randomly. I have gas, new battery, good wires, rebuilt motor, pertronix ignitor ignition, replaced all spark plug wires, coil, new cap and rotor. Any ideas?

Does it only do it while you are moving?

Does it just die, or does it sputter first?

If it just dies while moving, then I bet you have an electrical short or loose connection in the ignition system somewhere.

You could have a flaky Petronix Unit also. Try putting the points and condenser back in and try it.

Quote:
G'day Duane,
to PackardInfo and for including your '55 Clipper Custom in the Owner Registry.
And also for including your '53 Patrician.

As well as for your '40 160 Touring Sedan.

Weird idea coming: Put some long leads on a multimeter while you are driving around and put the leads on different locations to try and isolate the problem.

It could be a fuel related problem, you can try a marine gas tank and an electric fuel pump to circumvent your current fuel system and see if that is the cause.

Can you revert to the old ignition and see if it is still a problem, or was the pertronix a one way fix?

Check your ground, verify you have plenty big wires for the voltage of your car. 6V systems require bigger wire than 12V.

Tighten everything like bigkev mentioned, and there is such a thing as electrical grease (dielectric) that helps reduce water in connections.

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If it just dies (no sputtering), they it's probably electrical related. If it sputters then dies, then I would think it's a fuel issue.

Thanks for the help. I checked a lot of this out and before I was going to put the points back in, I remembered about the fuel filter back by the gas tank. I replaced it with a hose and the car drove fine. The car was smooth so I could not feel it sputter and shut off. I should have checked the fuel filter first. Thanks.

Glad you are back on the road!

Does the car have overdrive? If so, suspect the od relay.

What type filter did you have at the tank and do you have a shutoff valve at the tank.

My 55 Clipper is an automatic, I did install a Chrysler 727 with a kit that's offered from CA.
I don't have a shut off valve for the gas tank.
The filter I used near the gas tank was an inline metal can from NAPA or Autozone or Checker. I just did not change it enough. I had trouble with my gas tank, I don't like to use sealers in my gas tank because the new gas ate my old gas tank sealer and sent junk through my entire fuel system. The gas filter was replaced after the tank was cleaned, so I don't know what got in it. But I am back on the road. Thanks for the help.