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This is kind of embarrassing but I have never needed to set the
Timing on my 37 Packard 6. I noticed that the distributor has very little movement. I swapped out my engine and want to make sure it is timed correctly. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

There is a bolt on the distributor clamp at the 12 o'clock position, tangential to the distributor shaft. Loosen this and the distributor rotates under the mounting plate. The mounting plate has slotted holes for using the economizer, but not for adjusting the timing.

Good luck!

Timing on these 115s is a bit awkward.

The distributor can be moved two ways. One, the most easiest, is by loosening the thumb screw on the "Octane Adjuster" bracket. This will allow a small amount of movement. The other way is to loosen the clamp screw which is located on the bracket that fastens the distributor to the engine. This allows more movement.

The timing marks are located on the front surface of the flywheel and can be viewed through a hole under the starter. The first time I did the timing on my Six I removed the inner fender panel on the driver side to see the marks. This also involves jacking up the car and removing the left front tire.

Having done this once, and not wanting to repeat the procedure, I made a pointer out of heavy wire and fastened it to one of the timing chain cover bolts. I marked the damper to show TDC, 10 and 5 deg advance, and 10 and 5 deg retard. This I coordinated with the flywheel timing marks.

I used a timing light to view the marks on the damper and flywheel.

I set the "Octane Adjuster" to "0" with the timing at the setting. I do this so if I want to advance or retard the timing with the Adjuster I will know where my standard setting is. I think I set it from 4 deg to 6 deg advanced.

Clear as mud? I'll post some photos to show the bracket and adjuster. I'll be right back...

(o{}o)

I'm back with three photos. First shows the bracket assembly, next is a close up of the Octane Adjuster, and lastly a peek at the bracket clamp screw as installed. I made up a short piece of tubing and used a longer screw in order to more easily get to the clamp screw. First photo shows the original and shorter clamp screw. Don't forget to fill the grease cup and tighten it down a couple of turns to lubricate the shaft bushing. Hope this helps.

(o{}o)

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