DIY Network

1938 Packard Ignition System: Removing the Distributor From "Classic Car Restoration" episode DCR-403

	The 1938 Packard Club Coupe -- a.k.a. the "120," a.k.a., the "Eight" -- as seen in a diagram from the grand era of luxury automobiles.
	The 1938 Packard with front clip removed.

In this episode of Classic Car Restoration, host Mark Lambert addresses the ignition system on the 1938 Packard Club Coupe. In this first segment of episode 403, he provides a bit of historical perspective and then gets to work on the ignition system by removing the distributor.

Materials:

Standard automotive tools (socket-wrenches, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, etc.)
Chalk
Eye protection
Protective gloves

Note: This is a summary of steps included in the automotive restoration procedures shown in this episode of Classic Car Restoration. These are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of vehicle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgrade kits selected. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select.

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A Bit of Packard History

From the beginning in 1899, Packard's mission was to produce the best luxury car in the world. Wrapped up in that philosophy was the fact that a luxury car can't be temperamental. What kind of luxury is in a car that's trouble-prone? So Packard built in rock-solid dependability. They did that so well that through the 1920s they frequently outsold Cadillac and Lincoln combined.

That all changed with the Depression in the 1930s. Packard had to produce the car that we've selected to restore just to survive. The luxury market was gone. They needed a lower-level car, a car to compete against, for example, a Buick. That's the car that debuted in 1935 as the Packard 120 -- and it was a spectacular success.

Packard had record profits by 1937. They made this car, calling it the "120" at first. In '38 they redubbed it the "Eight." Then they went back to the moniker "120" which stuck until 1941.

We chose this project car because Packards are simple and durable. Moreover, there's lots f them out there. Because Packards were expensive for their day, they tended to be cars that were well cared for.

In many ways, the '38 Packard is the ideal project car for the serious home restorer. None of the systems on this car are complicated, and this Classic Car Restoration series addresses each of them. This episode focuses on the ignition system.

	Figure A
	Figure B

A Word About Voltage and Ignition Systems

Nearly all cars built in the 1930s were 6-volt. Though some restorers opt to convert Packards to 12-volt, but that can be a complex and expensive endeavor. It involves changing out the generator, starter, radio and adapting the gauges and even the horn. We opted to leave our Packard as 6-volt. The car's integrity is retained, and 6-volt parts and equipment are easy to find.

The coil (figure A) is the heart of the ignition system. It develops the spark and transmits it to the sparkplugs. The distributor (figure B) was, in the old days, termed "the switch" because that's basically its function. As it rotates, it switches the coil off and on. Distributor breaker points are two metal contact areas that open to activate energy in the coil and create the spark in the plug. The points advance the spark by two methods: centrifugal force inside the distributor and by means of a vacuum-advance mechanism. Those will both be checked later as part of this project.

	Figure C
	Figure D

Removing the Distributor

• To remove the distributor for checking and changing the points, the first step is to remove the distributor cap (figure C). We set our engine to top-dead-center, but regardless of where your engine is set it's important to mark the distributor position with chalk at this point. In that way, the distributor can be reinstalled later in the correct position.

• Next, disconnect the vacuum-advance line (figure D) and move it out of the way.

• Disconnect the coil wire.

• Unscrew and remove the distributor base bolts.
  

  Figure E

• With the base bolts removed, carefully pull the distributor straight out (figure E).

• The slit or locating pin at the end of the distributor (figure F) will be used as a reference when reinstalling the distributor.
  

  Figure F

  In the segment that follows, Mark services the distributor and installs a fresh set of points.
  

  
  

  RESOURCES :
  
  
  Resources and Special Thanks for Classic Car Restoration 400 series
  
  
  The Packard Club
  Columbus, Ohio
  (National & regional clubs, car shows & judging, magazine, resources, etc.)
  The Cormorant magazine
  The Packard Club
  www.packardclub.org
  
  Packards International Motor Car Club
  (National owner's club, judging rules, magazine, newsletter and other resources)
  Santa Ana, CA
  Packardsinternational.com
  
  Packards of Chicagoland
  (Regional affiliate of The Packard Club)
  Elmhurst, IL
  Packards of Chicagoland
  
  America's Packard Museum
  Dayton, Ohio
  www.americaspackardmuseum.org
  
  The National Packard Museum
  Warren, OH (the birthplace of the Packard)
  www.warren.org
  
  The Packard Motor Car Foundation
  (Foundation for preserving the Packard marque) Restoring the Packard Proving Grounds and other Packard activities.
  www.packardmotorfdn.org
  
  Motorbooks International
  www.motorbooks.com
  
  Automobile Inspections LLC
  (Nationwide automobile appraisal & inspection services, including classic cars)
  Hartford, CT
  www.automobileinspections.com
  
  Classic Auto Appraisals (Evaluation of Classics, Street Rods, Antiques, Competition Cars, Exotics, Commercial Vehicles and Hand Crafted Vehicles).
  www.autoappraisals.com

  
  

  GUESTS :
  

  Keller Wallace
  Keller Wallace Street Rods
  Volunteer Street Rod Association
  Knoxville, TN

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	1938 Packard Ignition System: Removing the Distributor
  	1938 Packard Ignition System: Servicing the Distributor
  	1938 Packard Ignition System: Distributor Reassembly