mikewest Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 Can anyone with P/A literature please send me a copy of timing instructions. What are the 2 small holes in the sides of the cap for? Thank you, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hupp36 Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Mike, I sent you 2 scans by email. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikewest Posted June 2, 2020 Author Share Posted June 2, 2020 Chuck I received the scans , Thank you Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 vents 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikewest Posted June 2, 2020 Author Share Posted June 2, 2020 Why did THIS distributor cap need a vent and the 100s of others Ive dealt with dont?> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hupp36 Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 (edited) Pierce Arrow says for better performance, run with the double spark turned on. With the duel spark system, you as a driver have 3 choices. Left, right or double. Double is 2 spark plugs firing at the same time. That will produce a lot of heat inside the distributor cap. It seems likely that the small holes are vents.The pic is the dash of my 1927 Model 36 with the duel spark system. There are 4 knobs above the ignition key that control the spark plugs . They are labeled L, R, Double and Delco. I run my car with all 4 turned on. In the pic, I am referring to the 4 knobs that start on the left of the ignition key. Next time I take it out for a ride I will try to make a video. Edited June 3, 2020 by Hupp36 more info (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 The vents are to release ozone from under the cap, it prevents oxidation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hupp36 Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 Ed, do you by any chance have an electrical degree, if not, you sure know a lot about electricity. See pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter R. Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 I agree to edinmass. Jump sparks generate ozone, which needs to be released through the vent holes to prevent oxidation. There are no jump sparks on early Delco sliding contact caps. That's why they don't have vent holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 On 6/3/2020 at 6:37 PM, Hupp36 said: Ed, do you by any chance have an electrical degree, if not, you sure know a lot about electricity. See pic No, no electrical degree......just too much time spent in garages and reading old Manuels from the teen's and 20's. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S36PA Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 (edited) Hupp36, The "Delco" switch on my Series 36 controls the dash lights and has nothing to do with the ignition. I usually run with both the left and right switches on and the double switch off. When shutting down, I turn off one switch, then turn it back on, then turn off the other switch, then finally go back and turn off the first switch to kill the engine. It should continue to run on either side of the ignition although not as well. This tells you that both ignition systems are working. When I first got my '27 Series 36, the prior owner told me it never ran as strong as his other S 36. By checking both ignitions individually, I found out that the left ignition was not working. It turned out the steel resistor on the coil was open. He had never checked each ignition individually. It ran a lot better on both sides. Edited June 5, 2020 by S36PA (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hupp36 Posted June 6, 2020 Share Posted June 6, 2020 Well, Thank you S36PA. When Dale and I went up to Big Rock Ill to see this car he said take notes on the starting procedure as you will be the one that drives this car.When they started the car, they pulled out all 4 switches. I thought that Delco was refurring to the Delco distributor and the Delco coils. I should have read the Operation and Care Manual. I have read the manual and you were right on. Thank you again Chuck M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S36PA Posted June 6, 2020 Share Posted June 6, 2020 Chuck, To tell the whole story, I wondered for a long time what the Delco switch did. I finally figured it out when I turned it on inside the trailer and noticed the dash lights come on. I made a starting video when I bought my S 36 and the prior owner told me about turning the switches off individually to check that both ignitions were working. When I bought my second S 36 with the bad left ignition, I found out it was good advice. I have no idea why it says Delco under that switch other than maybe Delco made the switch panel. If you ever stick your head under the dash, the switch panel is quite interesting in the way it is all setup. By the way, your sedan is a great looking car. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter R. Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 "Delco" definitely just means that the switch had been made by Delco. It is Delco Combination Switch # 1186. It was used on all 1921-27 Pierce-Arrow models 32, 33 and 36. On the wiring diagrams it becomes obvious how the switch works. So as Dave correctly said the knob above the igniton key (and Delco name) just switches on the instrument lights and is not labeled. Peter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter R. Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter R. Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 Just so one can see and understand it better.... Nice how P/A managed the switching between "L", "R" and "Double". Main power supply is connected to terminal # 3 in the back of the combination switch. Internally terminal # 3 supplies power to all knobs. Once "Double is switched it is domninat, regardles of the position of "L" or "R". Switching "Double" alone will be the same as switching "L" and "R" together without "Double" (seems logical). Knobs "L", "R" and "Double" simply interrupt power supply to the primary windings of the two coils. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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