Tuneup question

[Stanley735]

Being new to Packards, I want to tune up the 1953 series 2672. It has a Mallory Magnaspark coil and a dual point distributer. Looking at my less than youthful figure and to keep from bending over the fender and working upside down, I was wondering about any potential problems if I remove the distributer to replace the points. Anybody been there, done that?

Jim Showers

[WCraigH]

I found it easier (similar age/girth problem) to remove the distributor on my 55 Pat to set the point gap. Obviously, this would be even more so on a dual point distributor. It would be best if you had access to one of those old distributor machines to set the dwell while rotating.

Sometimes, the distributor "puts up a fight" coming out due to corrosion or whatever; don't break anything. Make sure you reinstall the distributor in the same orientation and check the dwell with a dwell-meter after setting the timing. Hitting the exact dwell is not super critical. For instance on the V-8, 28-32 degree is OK.

[Stanley735]

Thanks, I just needed a little confidence boost and wanted to make sure there were no special procedures in distributer removal.

Jim

[Guest Albert]

If you can turn the motor over so that the rotor points to the motor, or to the front of the car, then it will be easier to remember which way the rotor goes back in after, or you can install by accident 180deg out, but you have a 50-50 chance of getting it in right the frist time, as it will only fit in two ways..