Ford 601 weak spark

[VFMerc]

I have a Ford 601 that's been sitting idel for a while and I'm having difficulty getting it to start. I've installed new points, cleaned and gapped the plugs (they were fairly new), and put in fresh gas without success. Holding the number 1 wire away from the spark plug and craking it, the spark appears weak. Is there a way to confirm if this is the problem and improve the spark? Thanks VFM

 

[old]

Check your point gap and also clean the points. Some times new points will have a coat of oil on them and if they do you get a weak spark if you get any spark. Also jumper across your ignition swithc to make sure its not going bad
Hobby farm

 

[El Toro]

You may have a weak coil. Hal

 

[VFMerc]

Thanks. I'll look into the coil. Since I can't tell how old the coil is, is there a good way to trouble shoot a coil to see if it's putting out what it should?
VFMerc

 

[VFMerc]

Thanks. I spent yesterday gapping the points and am pretty sure they are set and clean. I'm thinking it may be the coil. I rebuild the carburator before I deployed along with doing a plugs, points, rotor etc. It seems like I have had this trouble when it sits without being started for a while. If I start it regularly it runs fine. I'd like to check the coil before I replace it but I'm not sure how. It's probably a safe bet it is fairly old.

 

[El Toro]

Make sure you have a good well charged battery since that's supply's voltage to your coil. If the coil is old I would replace it. You can buy a new 12 volt coil with a built in ballast resistor for less than $20.00 from Napa if your tractor is 12 volts.. Their part number is IC14SB. Hal

 

[bob farrell]

Might want to look at the battery ground strap - both ends - good, clean connections. Bad ground equals weak or no spark. bob f.

 

[old]

One simple test is to take the cap off and the dust cover off. Then with the switch on open and close the points with one hand and hold the coil wire close to the engine block. You should get a spark at both the points and at the coil wire
Hobby farm

 

[VFMerc]

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

 

[VFMerc]

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

 

[VFMerc]

Will do.