Ignition issues on 200

Lucid · Aug 24, 2016

Had some issues with my 200 running. Was getting hard to start, so I cleaned the plugs. Then checked the points. My points were ok, but my rotor arm was ate up. I have never replaced points due to pitting/worn. Will have to replace the rotor here and there.

Is there something causing this to the rotor arm? Or is this normal wear? See pic.

Also, after I got everything cleaned up, I started the tractor. Ran like crap. Thought I may have not seated one of the plugs good. So I put my hand near the plugs to see if I could feel air coming out. Got about 10" from the wires and got a good shock! Would that be bad wires? Ended up a wire was shorting out on the block through insulation.

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Thanks

old · Aug 24, 2016

That rotor does not look all that bad I have seen ones that where a whole lot worse off. Now the plug wire well if you got a shock then yep plug wires and bad and good chance there shorting out to the block or other such places which will rob the spark plugs of a good spark. You need to install TRUE wire plug wires not the new one made for cars and trucks

John T · Aug 24, 2016

I don't think the rotor tip is your problem. As long as it isnt letting the spark ground out to the distributor shaft due to bad cracks or carbon traces, being a bit dirty up top isn't as bad.

HOWEVER if a plug wire is so bad the spark is jumping/shorting to frame instead of across the plug gap NOW THATS A PROBLEM.

Points becoming pitted or badly burned or carboned up or even gray oxide coated can cause poor performance. I would at least clean/buff/polish them and check the gap. For no more then the cost, a new set of plug wires and cap and rotor and points or plugs if needed is good routine maintenance.

John T

Lucid · Aug 24, 2016

Thanks old & John T. Prolly was about 5 years now since I replaced the plugs, wires, etc. I have replaced the points and rotor since. Point spring had broke on me.

Currently have Autolite 386s and the wires are stranded. Should I use a hotter plug with solid cores? I disk and plow every year, but nothing heavy use.

John T · Aug 25, 2016

If a tractor engine is getting worn and exhibiting lower compression orrrrrrrrrrr its an oil burner orrrrrrrrrrrrrr if its only used for light duty orrrrrrrrrrrrrrr the plugs are prematurely fouling:

YES I would use a hotter plug. The Autolite 388 is slightly hotter then the 386.

Since you're not concerned with AM Radio interference, I would use real wire (like copper) plug wires NOT carbon core suppressor wires on an old tractor, especially if it were a Magneto Ignition.

NOTE: Its NOT so much stranded or single non stranded that makes a difference, ITS IF THEY ARE WIRE OR CARBON CORE!!!!
Stranded wires with more flexibility are far better at withstanding vibration then are single solid wire.
Wire core can still be one big single wire or several smaller stranded wires VERSUS carbon core suppressor wires.

NOTE: The Autolite 386 and 388 are RESISTOR PLUGS while the similar heat range 3116 is a NON RESISTOR PLUG.

Hope this helps and answers your questions:

John T

Ignition issues on 200

Lucid

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old

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John T

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Lucid

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John T

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