Did a tune up - I forgot how well these tractors can run

I have a 48 front mount 6V 8N that I've owned for about 15 years.

This spring it was a little tough to start, and required a lot of choke until it was well warmed up. I didn't think too much about it figuring that in 1948 things just didn't run that well.

A few thoughts floated through my mind about converting to 12 volts, and maybe installing an electronic ignition. I mean after all, 1948 engine technology cannot be expected to run well, right ?

So as I thought about it I realized that I had not done a tune up in about 7 years !!! (my how time flies) I pulled the distributor apart and the first thing that I noticed was that there was almost no point gap left. I didn't even put in new points, I just gapped the old ones and reset the timing. (I did clean them with a $1 bill).

Next I noticed that the high tension spring (not the curly one) from the coil and the mating contact on the distributor cap were badly burnt. The spring was barely touching the distributor cap and the contact must have been arcing. I bent the spring, cleaned everything up and put it back together.

When I hit the starter button I was shocked at how it leaped to life !! No choke was required and it pulled hard from the get go. No stumbling, missing or any other problems.

I didn't even replace the plugs.

Over the years as it started to go out of tune and run poorly it just crept up on me and I accepted it.

I must remember, these tractors can run as well as any fuel injected modern marvel if they are kept in tune !!
 
Thanks for the reminder. As i'm pulling mine hard with the finish mower and shreader this summer, i'll be sure to look at the easy stuff first too.
 

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