No spark - 631

[Tractor Shed Billy]

Last time I used my 631 it died at idle speed and would not start. I didn't have time to chase the problem then but finally got to it today. This tractor has the original 6 volt system. I have no spark out of the distributor, measure 6 volts at the + side of the coil but nothing past that. I replaced the coil but still have the same problem. Shouldn't there be voltage out of - side of the coil also? Engine cranks and the battery is fully charged. I'm stumped.
TSB

 

[old]

Check the points they may have slipped or are bad. Condenser could also be bad. Or even the cap or rotor. I have seen a rotor go bad and stop and engine dead and then you will have no spark
Hobby farm

 

[Tractor Shed Billy]

I did replace the points, condenser and rotor but not sure what the gap setting should be. Still using the same dist cap, I'll replace that tomorrow.

 

[old]

Stop throwing parts at the problem or you will end up with more problems. Gap should be 0.025 on the points. You also my have a bad insulator in the side of the distributor. Common problem on these old tractors. Had that happen on my 841 years ago and when it wnet bad I just hooked a wire up and did away with it and it has been that way for at least 20 year and it just keeps on going

 

[souNdguy]

If you replaced the coil and points but show no volts on the side of the coil doing to the distrib.. then the points are shorted.. or the feedthru insulator at the side of the distrib is shorting.. or you have a shorted capacitor.

gap is .025 on the points

soundguy

 

[Ken Oh]

Had this problem last week. Take the wire to the dist. off the coil. Turn on the key and briefly touch the wire to the term. You should get a spark. If you do, the problem is likely in the dist. If you don't get a spark the problem is likely wireing ahead of the coil. In my case I was reading 6 volts to the coil but due to a poor connection at the terminal block it would not carry a load. Try running a jumper wire from the neg. battery term to the neg. coil term. If you then get a spark start wringing out the wireing/switch.

Thanks Old for the tip.

 

[Tractor Shed Billy]

Thanks to Sound Guy and Ken. I followed your advice and found the insulator pad on the inside of the distributor connectin was worn through. I made one from some gasket material, set the point gap to .025 and she fired right up. Appreciate your help. I had not been into the distrubutor much.

TSB

 

[souNdguy]

Glad you got her fixed.

soundguy