International constant tuneups

KFH

New User
We have a 1960 404 International tractor that constantly needs tuneups does anyone have any idea why?
 
Bad condenser? Missing ballast resister when using a 6 volt coil in a 12 volt system?
 
Grandpa's Oliver 1600 was like that since it was new. About 10 or more years ago I put in a Pertronix ignition kit, and I've only had to replace the cap once since then, and that's it. Around 1000 hours on it since the switch and it runs great.

No idea why it was so finicky, but the Pertronix kit took care of it.

Donovan from Wisconsin
 
A bad condenser will cause that and now days you stand a good chance that a new one is bad right out of the box. I have not changed a condenser in any thing for over 10 years now. Or you may have a 6 volt coil and no ballast resister which will also cause that
 
My farmall C has only needed a new rotor and cap. Mag is still working just fine.

My 1953 jubilee hasn't needed anything. It was converted to 12v. 6v drop acorss ballast
when points just close and 6v to the coil. I've put about 400 hrs on it since I bought
it and no points, no condensor, no cap or rotor.

If I were burning points, I would replace everything and make sure the primay current
doesn't go ove 4 amps and no more than 6v to coil if you are using old coil and
converted Tractor to 12v.
 
1. Use quality points such as Blue Streak.

2. Verify that primary ignition current does not exceed about 4 Amps.

3. When setting the new points, use a feeler gauge dedicated to checking point gaps, not also used on oily jobs like setting valve clearances. Clean the feeler gauge before use with electrical contact cleaner and dry with a lint-free rag before using it to check the point gap. I would venture to guess that MANY "point failures" are actually caused by getting oil, dirt or debris on the contact faces.
 
What makes you think the conversion included converting to a coil that does not require an external resistor? Even some coils marked 12v still need an external resistor. So if you have a 6v coil and no resistor you will burn points from excess current. New condenser may be in order.
 

Burning points? I had a JD 2010 that did that and wouldn't run well without the choke out. It turned out to be a bad ignition switch, so suggest you check your
switch.

KEH
 
If just adjusting the points fixes it for a while, check your points cam in the distribuitor.

I have a MM 335 that was running a set of 'inferior' points and I did not catch the problem before the rub block wore to the point the metal arm contacted the cam. Although I tried to polish the burrs and scuffs off the cam, but the points in that tractor still needs more attention than our other running tractors.
 
my dads 504 needed a tune up every other year for many years what i did was i found a cap with copper lugs and i
sealed the vent hole and the base of the cap with silicone havent had any problem for over 10 years
 
I put an electronic kit in our Allis Chalmers forklift at work about 20+ years ago.

When it had points, it was a constant battle. The distributor is on top of the engine, mounts down through a hole in the head, runs very hot.

Best of my memory, I haven't had the cap off or replaced the plugs since! It gets used almost daily, lives indoors, very reliable!
 
There is certainly nothing wrong with using a feeler gage to check points, but when you get done, put a dwell meter on it to see if you got it right.
 

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