Quick question...

[Goose]

I’m trying to get an H Farmall running. There was no spart at the plugs ‘cause the point gap had closed in.

I had to R&R the distributor to get the point gap set properly. Now a test light on the post on the distributor “blinks” like it should when the engine is spun with the starter But still no fire at the plugs.

I suspect I still have another problem somewhere.

My question is, even if I screwed up and installed the distributor 180 degrees off, wouldn’t there still be fire at the plugs, just at the wrong time?

Thanks for any info. This tractor was always dependable until it decided to get cranky.

 

[jdeere562]

There would still be spark at the plugs.

 

[wh]

Always heard that with fire at pints and not at plugs it was condenser.

 

[leroy in ne]

Spark at coil lead? If yes 1. Rotor shorted thru to shaft or 2. Rotor not installed, I've done this.

 

[Jim in NC]

There could be a short to the distributor where the points wire is connected the distributor at the points.

 

[Texasmark]

Always heard that with fire at pints and not at plugs it was condenser.

The purpose of the condenser (capacitor) across the points is to slow down the (rate of) rise of voltage potential (caused by the coil continuing to deliver current while the points are opening...a coil thing) below the fast rise time of voltage that would otherwise cause a spark and point pitting over time. If you don't have a capacitor you will have a spark when the points open. If it's shorted, and one is attached, there won't be any spark and you may blow a fuse somewhere in the voltage supply line.

I'd say that the "ignition coil" part of the "coil device" is functioning otherwise when you open the points you wouldn't get a spark (maybe a little one depending on the actual malfunction)....seems to me that the HV output connection has an open circuit either internally or in your output lead connected to the coil....or that connection.

 

[MARK ROBKE]

Rotor button or distributer cap? Mark.

 

[used red MN]

There could be a short to the distributor where the points wire is connected the distributor at the points.

Not to likely if he has a test light connected to the distributor terminal blinking on/off with the opening and closing of the points while cranking the engine as reported in his opening post. Maybe you are misunderstanding the blinking as intermittent power which I don’t believe is the case.

 

[Goose]

Thanks for the responses. We’ll see where this goes. I’ll probably replace the condenser next.

I should have replaced the condenser when I had the distributor off, but my thought at the time was the only problem was the point gap, or lack of same.

When I get this tractor running again, I intend to convert it to a 12v, negative ground electrical system. Actually, the H I really want to convert has a hydraulic tilt loader on it, and all the hoses for the loader are right where you need to work to convert the electrical system. I figure it would be easier to do that one if I’ve already done one.

 

[Texasmark]

Thanks for the responses. We’ll see where this goes. I’ll probably replace the condenser next.

I should have replaced the condenser when I had the distributor off, but my thought at the time was the only problem was the point gap, or lack of same.

When I get this tractor running again, I intend to convert it to a 12v, negative ground electrical system. Actually, the H I really want to convert has a hydraulic tilt loader on it, and all the hoses for the loader are right where you need to work to convert the electrical system. I figure it would be easier to do that one if I’ve already done one.

Goose, my man......take the capacitor completely out of the circuit. Solve your problem then put a new/reliable one back in.....your points won't care as the absence is minuscule..........