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

The connection to the spark plug wire and the spark plug, I get.

The two other leads are supposed to connect to the battery ... a bit far away.
Timing lights are mentioned in the manuals, and while it's assumed that everyone knows how to hook them up, there is only a casual reference to connecting them to the battery.

In 1940, with the battery under the front seat, what did they connect to?

I'm getting a dim orange flash hooked to the plug/plug wire. It seems like there would be plenty of juice to light the lamp bright white, but I'm not getting that.

I have 2 leads left and a trigger on the gun which doesn't seem to move. Are these to automate the starter from the timing gun?

This is a 6v timing light.

In 1940, with the battery under the front seat, what did they connect to?

No need to got to the battery, just go to the hot lug on the starter where the battery cable terminates at the solenoid. And of course a ground connection somewhere on the engine.

Connect the power leads, connect the high tension lead on the light to #1 plug so that the continuity to the plug is uninterupted. Start the engine, point the light at the damper/pointer, and pull the trigger. Watch out for the fan!

Gee, that was easy. Thanks, again.

Is that positive ground? If so, red to the engine and black to the starter.

If you are using a modern day timing light 12v-you need 12v from either a modern car or ???

... spare battery. But I have a 6v timing light.

Drove to my friend Vaughn's and he made a couple little adjustments.

Then we put the top down.

That depends on how modern. I'm going to say no,12v is not needed. Most electronic circuits run on 5v anyway. So the modern light mostlikely has a voltage limiting circuit built in it to bring the voltage down to 5v.

Blackbeard:
Is there some way to test a 12v tach, timing lite, etc to determine if it has such a voltage limiter??????

My Snap-On 12v timing light worked just fine on my 6v '48. Bright strobe, no problems.