Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

So the Delco car was near the beginning of production. (#195 of 1784 made) Wonder if they switched to Delco to match the Packard badging of the car, only to later switch back to the original Auto-lite for whatever reason.

my early production Executive #128 has the Delco generator & distributor, an Autolite starter and the Rochester carburetor. Also an export. The trunk lining was also of the 55 style

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For what it is worth the parts book does mention Delco and Autolite distributors both being available for the 5670 model but only Autolite starters and generators are listed.

I suppose it is possible the Delco items came from the factory. Since the Executive was introduced toward the end, I would almost bet the number of cars of any model that carried 100% factory time of introduction specified items but were built in the last days will probably be a question and might never be known. Some of the magazines of the time such as Mechanix Illustrated and Popular Mechanics both of which had Detroit auto news and rumors columns of goings on in the auto industry had already started raising questions on whether Packard would be around much longer.

If magazines were raising questions I expect beancounters also wondered and instructions were given to wherever possible use up existing parts that would work and were in the parts bin rather than re-ordering a different item. The Delco electrical items could be just like the Monroe steering which was supposedly only specified for use in Clipper models in 56 but has turned up on many senior cars.

Some more info turned up about this in one of the new service bulletins (56T-14). As of 3/5/56 (engine Utica numbers A-11542 and B-4497 and up), production began using Delco distributors (Delco 1110865, Packard 6480363) instead of Auto-Lite on Executives. However, the same bulletin notes that Auto-Lite will be re-introduced, though I cannot find any info on when that happened.

The best I can find, the distributors were equipped thus (speaking only of 1956 models) (Packard P/N's in parentheses):
- Caribbean: (6489847) DELCO #1110830, supersedes (6489325) DELCO #1110873
- Executive and Clipper Custom: (6489834) Auto-Lite #IBJ-4001-E, supersedes (6480363) DELCO #1110865, supersedes (6480751) Auto-Lite #IBJ-4001-C
- other Clipper: (6489834) Auto-Lite #IBJ-4001-E, supersedes (6480363) DELCO #1110865, supersedes (6480362) Auto-Lite #IBJ-4001-D
- other Packard: (6489847) DELCO #1110880, supersedes (6480363) DELCO #1110865

It is worth noting that the 56 Specifications manual lists only the oldest part numbers. Also note that the "new" Delco units in the Clipper range were simply the old Packard units.

"Dad's 56" it would be helpful if you are able to confirm your Utica engine number and distributor part number.

P.S. For whatever reason, only the Caribbean change is repeated in the Service Counselor (#1).

HPH, the distributor is 1110865 Delco Remy, Utica # for the engine will have to wait till next year, as the engine is in storage.