1946 2N.. did I kill my starter?

My recently acquired 2n had starting problems in that getting the solenoid to "kick" took all kinds of acrobatics when hitting the mechanical switch. I'm assuming that the pushrod has worn down and needs to be lengthened (by welding on some material and grind to length), or other parts of the linkage need adjustment (new bushings, etct?).

Anyhow, to prove that it was the lever, I took some battery cables, and with ignition switched on, touched Negative lead on battery and starter power wire, and bingo, engine kicked and ran, so I did my day's mowing. Fast forward one week and I needed to do some more work. Of course, wasn't thinking this time and reverted to "conventional wiring" thinking, and touched postive lead on battery, then power wire on starter.. got plenty of sparks, but no starter kick.. then i realized I probably just dead shorted the battery through the starter...

Did I fry the starter? Or something less expensive?
 
" Did I fry the starter? Or something less expensive? "

The starter is fine. It doesn't care about polarity.

But, is your tractor 6v or 12v?

Because if it's 12v w/ an alternator, reversing the battery polarity will kill the alternator.

And you have had a number of other "learning experiences" as well:

----- Your tractor does not have a solenoid. It has a mechanical rod to activate the starter. Replace it if it doesn't work.

----- The key not need to be on to activate the starter.

------ Hooking up jumper cables directly to a battery is very dangerous. See tip # 43 at the link.

You might also want to check out tip # 39.
75 Tips
 
"Negative lead on battery and starter power wire" - this worked, yes?

"touched postive lead on battery, then power wire on starter.. got plenty of sparks"

It is late and my mind is tired, but I'm going to have to go out and
try this tomorrow just to see what happens.
 
My 2N is 6volt thru and thru.

Starter doesn't budge when I connect (+) or (-) from battery. Battery was at full charge.

I used to be very sharp automotively speaking.. rebuilt many many gas and diesel engines. Am so overwhelmed by trying to rebuild a house, barn and clean up 20 years of garbage and neglect on a 3 acre property that I don't remember my own name sometimes... I used to spend time reading about whatever I was going to work on to fully understand what was going on befor tinkering. I've diagnosed Fuel Injection Systems, Ignition, etc.. but the "Positive Ground" principle still bewilders me.
 
"...the "Positive Ground" principle still bewilders me. "

That's because you're not a FOG.

Those of us over 60 who fooled around w/ cars in our teens learned to always check battery polarity. Some were positive, some were negative.

A model Fords were positive ground. I think Ford went to negative ground in 1946.

But, my point is.....always look.

Back to your problem.

Have you tried to jump it per tip # 43?

If so, what happens?
75 Tips
 

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