Only one plug fires

[Greg in MN]

Help, I'm trying to get the tractor to run after replacing the distibutor cap, but only one plug will fire. Is it the new cap or the old rotor? Could the rotor have been bent because the axle hit the number two plug wire?
I just bought a dearborn plow that looks like it has only seen a couple of acres. I have the itch to use it.

Thanks

Greg

 

[Anonymous-0]

Firing order OK?

 

[Greg in MN]

I really have know idea if the order is right. I'm assuming it is not because I took the cap off a couple of times, and I always seem to get the plugs mixed up. Only one plug will fire. I have tried all the plugs in that one wire, and that is the only wire that works.

 

[GB in MT.]

Greg; the axle hitting your no.2 wire???
It probably hit your dist. CAP and cracked it, causing the cap to be out of round, there-by not firing on all four sparkies.
Check your dist. cap for cracks!!!!!

Gary

 

[Bob - MI]

My guess would be the wires that don't generate any spark must not be making good contact in the new distributor cap's sockets. If a bent shaft were to blame the rotor should be hitting the contacts in the cap.

Did you put new wires on? Are you sure you didn't pull off the brass connector on the end of the wire when you swapped the caps? I had that happen one time.

 

[Greg in MN]

I figured it out. I pulled the spring in the disributor and didn't put it back quite in the right position. What happened was the rotor was a little off center and only making contact with the # 3 spark plug wire. Thanks for all your help.

 

[Anonymous-0]

?