Ballast resisror/ coil ?

[Ol 54']

Not quite sure how old my resistor/ coil is, but lately my Oliver 55 has been running a little radical. What would be the best way to determine if these two parts are still good?

 

[DanielW]

Can do a basic ohm/resistance test across the coil terminals and ballast resistor for starters. Disconnect wires, check resistance with a multimeter across ballast resistor and small coil terminals. As a general rule, should be about 1.2 - 2 ohms for each for a conventional 12V system with a ballast resistor (3 ohms for a 12V coil that doesn't require a ballast resistor). That's a starting point, other tests can be done after that.

Coils seldom fail, however. I'd be looking at the points & condenser, and the carb. Condensers fail all the time, and points get crapulence built up on them (especially if the condenser's failing), and it's pretty common for carbs to get crapulence in a jet/passage. Also check fuel flow by pulling drain plug from bottom of carb bowl - you want to see a good, steady stream of fuel for at least a 20-30 second test. Very common for old tractors to have crapulence come loose inside the tank and start partially/completely plugging up the fuel tank outlet.

 

[Tgrasher]

In addition to the above advice, check for side movement of the distributer shaft.