Expert: Brad Sears - 4/21/2010

Question
hello
I am working on a 1938 Packard super eight that will not fire, I installed points and condensor and now have spark at all plugs, fuel is there but still does not fire. I believe the problem is in the timing I did remove the distributor to install points and did mark the rotor position and did not turn the distributor. My question is how do I set the ignition timing, thankyou kevin.

Answer
If I remember right this is the distributor that goes down through the cylinder head. It has a slot and tang drive and if I am right can only go in two ways, 180 degrees apart. Ok, take out number one spark plug. Using a remote starter button or a two legged slave to bump the engine over with the starter while you hold your thumb over number one spark plug hole. When you feel compression stop turning the engine over as number one piston should be coming up getting ready to fire at that point. Check the timing mark to make sure that you are at or near TDC for number one. Then check the rotor and it should be pointed to number one spark plug wire in the cap. That should get it close enough to fire and run. then set the timing with a timing light and you are done.
Brad