Can you have a coil AND points?

Yup, definitely makes me feel old. Learned to adjust points/set timing on a new 1966 Chevy p/u, 6 cyl. 3 on the tree. I didn't read the entire thread, so if I repeat something please excuse. Two tips, always replace the condenser along with the points and then set the point dwell, or if dwell meter is not available, set point gap with feeler gauge before setting timing. The only downside to points is the frequency of required maintenance.

 

PackardWood ; Off to ebay and get you a "Motor's" manual from 53-58 and that will cover your car. It will help you no end on your journey to the dark side of arcane things like points and manual adjustment drum brakes.

 

Probably donj't teach about distributors either.

Probably have virtual auto shop as a computer game or phone app.

 

damn your young !
points are what sticks out on a girls shirt !!
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And like points in a distributor can lead to sparking, smooth cruising, or a life time of troubles.

All good advice for many days of fun cruising with your old Packard.
You might check into the possibility of the modern Pertronics ignition to eliminate those points. After all, no one knows what's under that distributor cap----Just like no one really knows what's under that cute girl's shirt.

 

Looks like a nice Packard... where are you in NC?

 

remember to put the rotor back in under the cap..

 

Yea, most of us forgot to mention the nice lookin Packard.

 

Probably has a carburator too...

 

DON'T drop the little screws, that hold the points and condenser, to the breaker plate........You'll play hell finding a suitable subs***ute, that is not too long!

The tool distributors make and sell a screwdriver made for such jobs, as the flat blade "splits" in the middle, and wedges the screw in place whilst you install it, and then change to a regular screwdriver.

Invest in one, if you're gonna' keep running points........You will be glad you did!

 

Is that the thing under this black round container thing filled with old motor oil?

 

Keep a spare set of points and a spare condenser in the car with you when you travel. These things tend to **** the bed ONLY when you're in the middle of nowhere at night.

 

now that's just crazy talk

 

Depends. Is it furry? If its furry, its probably a dead rat.

 

Points made easy:

Ignition system:

Battery => coil => points => ground => back to battery.

Points are a kind of switch. The coil is a kind of transformer. When the points are closed, the electricity is turned on. This charges the coil primary with 12 volts. When the points open the electricity is turned off, the charge collapses, and the coil secondary puts out a 20,000 volt spark.

So basically you have 3 parts, battery coil points.

Then there is the condenser. That is the little can shaped doodad beside the points. It soaks up electricity when the electricity is on, then gives the coil a kick when the electricity is turned off, which starts the spark. It also stops the spark from jumping across the points and burning them.

The spark from the coil goes to the distributor cap. It goes in the center, and gets sent to one of the spark plugs by the rotor. Whichever wire the rotor points to, gets the spark. The points open and close once for each spark. Each cylinder needs a spark every second time the engine turns over, so the distributor is geared down 2:1 to the engine.

The spark travels down the plug wire, to the plug, jumps the gap and the spark ignites the gas which makes the car go zoom.

That's about as simple as I can make it. There are other details to it. But if you understand the above, you pretty much understand the coil ignition system on any motor from 1 cylinder to 12.

 

I always thought those were the high beams!

 

Don't let them worry you. Points ignition is pretty reliable. Normally you would tune up the car every 5000 to 10,000 miles. The ignition didn't quit right away, things wore down and got out of adjustment making the car run worse and get worse mileage. But usually they would keep running for a long time.

See if you can get some good, new old stock points at a flea market. The old ones are better than the new ones you get these days. See if you can get a tube of ignition points grease, this is special grease for the points cam. Parts stores used to sell it, the oldest parts store in town may still have a few tubes.

Clean your points or install new ones. Adjust gap and timing. Put a little dab of grease the size of a match head on the points cam. There you are ready to go for 5000 or 10000 miles.

You don't have to replace the points. You can clean them with a points file or wet or dry sandpaper 600 or finer. Then reset them and go again. This was common practice until the fifties. Then points got so cheap it wasn't worth the bother. Now they are hard to get, it might pay to keep using them till they wear out.

Now the condenser. The old condensers were made out of tin foil and wax paper, no kidding. Even if you find an NOS one it may not be much good. Today they make them out of mylar and they are a lot better. A condenser is the same thing as a capacitor. If you find the value of the condenser, you can buy a new capacitor and it's the same thing. Most are around .25 Uf. If you find a factory repair manual it should be in there.

 

There's some damn good advice right there.

 

All of your info is great Rusty. But, keep in mind, an old Packard is 6 volt originally. Six volt battery etc.

 

I used to get sick an tired of messin with points and coils and condensers. 12yrs ago had a 54 belair that always got burned out points. I did become "capt. Points"! Now I just go Pertronix.

 

**** they have canceled recess then when the kids are antsy from being cooped up the give them ****ing riddelin! Don't let the school put you on drugs kids...bring your own!
Thanks for all the tips guys, keep em coming, I don't like to half *** know about stuff. GO H.A.M.B!

 

GOOD ONE Harley!!! First I have heard of that on three different sites!
Who else knows something that the other guys forgot to tell me!? I want to learn!

 

Yeah I am real big on preventative maintenance ... can't believe how many distributors I have neglected over the years... not any more! And KINDA young, 32 but VERY high miles, and poor maintenence records. 14 broken bones, two diferent kinds of metal implants, dislocated knee (NOT recomended, kinda hurt!) 1 hunk of leg skin grafted on to my hand from a knife fight. but I am gona take it kinda easy for the next few years AND...learn about points!

 

Selma, Exit 98 off I-95

 

Thanks, I love my new (to me) Packard. coolest car that I have ever had! (Sorry '74 charger I had when I was a teen with plow truck 440 in it) I am cool with the carb, can do Holly's in my sleep, gona rebuild it as soon as I get these other bugs out as she leaks a drop or two, at least it is RIGHT above the exhaust manifold.

 

LOL, so I have heard!

 

Great positive responses. I like it here. Sure makes you feel old tho.

 

IMHO, you'll find a Motors Auto Repair Manual to be helpful. They frequently appear on eBay, e.g., http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-195...ltDomain_0&hash=item27ca234c7d#ht_1742wt_1262

Enjoy your '48 Packard. My grandfather had one that I remember fondly.

 

Gotta disagree about changing the condenser. This is definitely a case of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Condenser can go bad at the drop of a hat for no apparent reason. Especially new ones. If the old points are not pitted, just an even frosting, there is an excellent chance the old condenser is better than your new one. Used to be true back in the day and still is. The last condenser I installed (about 4 years ago) went bad at about 3,000 miles.

And another thing to remember. Say your diving along and you notice it does not want to take gas. Your carb is fine. Pull over and change the condenser.

Bill

 

You da man Rusty!!! .25 Uf is the Capacitance measured in Pico Farads correct? Thanks again! Steve

 

Six Volt with a positive ground! Who the hell thought THAT was a good idea!?