I was out plowing snow with my '44 2N yesterday, had the plow up, was
backing up a long stretch of driveway, not starting or stopping, and it died.
Didn't spit or sputter, just died like I'd turned the key off.
Huh. Pulled a plug wire and checked, no spark. Figured.
So I got the Jubilee out and pulled the 2N back to the shop and let the snow
melt off until I could work on it today.
The picture below is of the points. I'm not sure if you can see it or not, but
the contacts only touch about half of their surfaces, they don't meet square.
They're pretty corroded, so I was wondering when I last replaced them.
I got out the maintenance logs to look, and that's where it gets embarrassing.
I bought this tractor as a non-runner 4 years ago, already converted to 12v.
Drained, flushed and filled the gas tank, changed the oil and plugs and it started up.
So I changed all the fluids - oil, tranny, antifreeze, and put it in service.
I have never changed the points. Nor have I serviced them.
When I took the distributor off, there was a gasket under the coil, but the
other three were missing. It's a wonder it has never died from moisture.
So I put in a new set of Blue Streak points (got to use my new-to-me timing
tool from The Old Hokie) and a new gasket set and was back in business.
How on earth can a guy who keeps records of every part replaced forget
to to check the points on a newly purchased tractor?
Senior moment I guess.
I ordered replacement parts to hang on the pegboard from YT tonight, and
I checked all the other maintenance logs. The rest of the tractors have all
had the points checked/gapped/greased once a year, just not this one.
If it ain't broke don't fix it?
backing up a long stretch of driveway, not starting or stopping, and it died.
Didn't spit or sputter, just died like I'd turned the key off.
Huh. Pulled a plug wire and checked, no spark. Figured.
So I got the Jubilee out and pulled the 2N back to the shop and let the snow
melt off until I could work on it today.
The picture below is of the points. I'm not sure if you can see it or not, but
the contacts only touch about half of their surfaces, they don't meet square.
They're pretty corroded, so I was wondering when I last replaced them.
I got out the maintenance logs to look, and that's where it gets embarrassing.
I bought this tractor as a non-runner 4 years ago, already converted to 12v.
Drained, flushed and filled the gas tank, changed the oil and plugs and it started up.
So I changed all the fluids - oil, tranny, antifreeze, and put it in service.
I have never changed the points. Nor have I serviced them.
When I took the distributor off, there was a gasket under the coil, but the
other three were missing. It's a wonder it has never died from moisture.
So I put in a new set of Blue Streak points (got to use my new-to-me timing
tool from The Old Hokie) and a new gasket set and was back in business.
How on earth can a guy who keeps records of every part replaced forget
to to check the points on a newly purchased tractor?
Senior moment I guess.
I ordered replacement parts to hang on the pegboard from YT tonight, and
I checked all the other maintenance logs. The rest of the tractors have all
had the points checked/gapped/greased once a year, just not this one.
If it ain't broke don't fix it?