new to forum, some stupid questions

Good day. I recently purchased a 1949 Farmal C. I was driving it up and down my road yesterday to familiarize myself with the tractor. A
couple of things happened. As I was going up a small incline the engine started to pulse. Meaning running high and low over and over again. What
could cause this? When I got back to my garage I put the tractor in the garage and noticed a leak in the gas line running from the bowel to the
carb. I changed it all for a new one and so leaks. I tried to start it but noticed when my daughter hopped up yesterday to see it she bumped the
key in the on position and the battery was drained. I boosted it with the car but it would not start. I am getting fuel to the carb. I noticed
tho that I don't think I am getting a spark in the points, took the cap off and turned the engine over. The points moved but I didn't seem to
see any spark.Ideas? A new problem. When I purchased the tractor the gentleman I bought it from said he replaced a couple of new hydraulic
lines. One to the three point hitch and two to the right side of the bucket etc. There is no response at all when i move any of the levers.
Again, Suggestions? Thank you in advance for any help or suggestions given. Cheers from Beaver Bank Nova Scotia Canada.

Key on drained battery means points got burned and need to be file and clean or replaced. Gap for the points is 0.020. Spark at the center cap wire and all 4 plug wires should be a blue/white and jump a 1/4 inch gap or more

Awesome, thank you. I will try filing them down first. Is there a specific type of points and condensor I need or are they pretty much the same? I know some stuff with repairs but this has always been difficult for me to diagnose.

Just if you replace the points I would not replace the condenser. Be sure to buy a good brand of points not ones made in the land of almost right

Again thanks. Ill hit the local automotive store tomorrow.

Like Old said, the points probably overheated from the switch being left on. Also look at the coil, it may have been damaged too, especially if it's swelled or leaking oil.

The RPM surging can be a sign of running too lean. Try opening the main jet a little, see if that helps. You can also try partially choking it as a diagnostic. If neither helps, the governor linkage could need adjusting.

A shop manual would be a valuable investment. It will show the governor adjustment procedure and how to trouble shoot the hydraulics.

I no sooner spoke to a buddy of mine who is a heavy duty mechanic at a local lumber mill about this same problem when your response came in. He agrees with the coil. The points are still nice and clean so we suspect the coil got fried. I will be in the habit now of taking the key out and hanging it on the wall when the tractor is parked. Don't want this to happen again. Yes it would be an excellent idea to get a manual for this. When I can find one I will be purchasing it. Thank you for your help. Cheers

This site sells them. O-T-IH-8 i what you want. Have one right here on my desk

I hate to sound like a safety nazi but if your daughter had jumped on the tractor and bumped the starter button while it was still in gear you would have other problems.People have been killed that way.

Yup I know. I was the with her watching. Just didn't notice her hitting the key. Thanks tho for your concern. Cheers

I learned the scary way about leaving tractors in gear. My boy was about 4 when he climbed up on the seat of my Dad's H that I had here. He popped it out of gear and it rolled down the hill. I am blessed that the little guy stayed on and road it out. Since then I always leave them in neutral, tightly set the brake and chock the wheels if on an incline. I grew up in really flat ground where nothing rolled, it is quite hilly here, so learned it later in life.

Correction, that was his super A, not the H.

The surging is probably the engine governor. Grandpas super did the same thing as long as I can remember him owning it. His tractors were put in the garage while the new cars sat out in the weather. He was that particular about them. Good luck with your new acquisition.