8n ignition

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Ok, so my tractor quit while having just started it and driving it about 130 feet. Engine was ambient temp., about 80F, and wasn"t used that day at all.

Multi-meter shows battery voltage at the terminal. Pulled a wire off a plug and put a known good plug to check spark and grounded to another plug left in the head. No spark AT ALL. I am assuming this will be a bad coil. Ok, I checked the ohms on the coil and they are 1.35.

BTW, this is a front mount 6v square can and the motor turns over as fast as it should, just no spark.

I have a relatively new 6v battery. Should I bark up the 12v coil tree? I am thinking I would need to change the battery to a 12v also then.

Any help is welcomed.
 
Get it running before you consider converting it to 12 volts. I have 7 front mount Ns. I have never had a coil go bad (but it is possible). Put a test light on the wire to the top of the coil and observe while trying to start the engine. Light should go on and off as the points open and close. If not, the the problem is inside the distributor. Most likely the points are not opening and closing (or making good contact). Time to remove the distributor and adjust, clean, or change the points.
 
I wouldn't think 130 feet would be enough to heat a coil to failure.
I would think points as HCooke said.
I would follow his troubleshooting suggestions.
If you have a working in dash ammeter that may help too.
It should bounce from zero to about -4 as the engine rolls over.
If it doesn't move, or stays at a discharge, again points toward points.
There's a little more to 12 volt conversion than just a 12 volt coil
and battery because you have to change the charging system too.
We can help with that if needed, but I'd get it running first.
 
I assume the other end of the test light goes to the (-) on the battery.

I'll do this tomorrow. On a side note I'll have to get some new 8-32 x 3/16 screws for inside the distributor. I have very little time running it since I changed points and I seem to recall that while setting the points ... the maximum I could set them was what is called for and no more.
 
Other end of the test light just hooks to a good chassis ground.
The points not adjusting is a symptom of the newer cheap points.
It would be worth checking to make sure they are still where you set them.
If they are not, buy a good set when you replace them.
I like BlueStreak Premium points from Standard Ignition.
NAPA sells Echlins which others have said work well, also BDW/Borg-Warner.
All of the better brands should be available at local parts stores.
Avoid Tisco/TSC/etc.
 
You assume wrong.The clip has to go to the tractor ground, positive terminal of battery.You better forget the 12 volt bit.The adjusting screw is actually a rivet.You need a lock washer on the screw that holds the point setting.
 

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