international farmall tractors

scotchlok53

New User
I have a farmall 460 tractor with no spark to the spark plugs, I replaced the ignition coil and still no spark. does anybody know what might be wrong. would appreciate any help.
 
Do u have spark at the points ??? With the points closed open them with a small screwdriver and should be a spark. Very simple test.
 
ALWAYS trouble shoot hen parts NEVER the other way around
#1 you test for a good blue/white spark at the center wire of the cap and at all the plug wires and it needs to jump a 1/4 inch gap or more. No spark you pull the distributor cap off and make sure the points are open and check for battery voltage at the ignition side of the coil. If you have that then good chance the points need to be cleaned or replaced.
 
I actually had the same problem recently with my 2404. The other people who posted here are correct in that you should most likely be looking at the points. They live inside the distributor (The thing where all the spark plug wires connect to).

The point system works in kind of a strange way, where DISCONNECTING the power actually causes the spark, as opposed to connecting it.

In my case, the points were dirty and did not make connection. I put a piece of sandpaper in between to attempt to clean them with no luck. Finally i kinda scraped the points gently with the tip of a screwdriver. after a second or so I got spark, and it's been working since then.

I've heard that if you have to scrape or clean points, then it's likely about time to replace them. It's a fairly cheap part (like 10 bucks).

If the points are working properly, then your issue is more likely connectivity or a ground (short) issue.

Thanks!
 
Do you have power going to the distributor? If you have a volt meter handy its easy to check. If its 12 volt does it have a resistor - if so that could be dead.
 
The last two engines that I worked on that did not have spark were industrial air compressors. One with an IHC 4 cyl gas and another larger machine with an older Ford 6 cyl. Both needed the points either replaced or adjusted. I didn't mess around at that point and just replaced them. One compressor had been through a flood and the Ford had been wired up wrong by previous owners. Just check it for gap and spark first.

I have a 460 that gave me fits in this dept. First I would get it running very nice next day it would barely run. Kept finding the points out of adjustment. The top bearing in the distributer was worn out and the top of the dist wiggled like a dancer at a jiggle joint. Twice I have found point/dist wired up wrong or broken wires from the ignition wire to the distributor. That one the power would only be on while turning the motor over and then it would cut out right away. Both time on a 560 which is wired like a 460 for the most part. Would start with points I think a 0.20 gap. Look for bad connections and broken wires. Sometimes the ends or "eyes" come off. Good luck. John.
 
Sounds like my H, a worn down center electrode of the distributor cap. Get a new cap, very cheap, might be a simple fix. Get a brass one, not the aluminum one.
 
Wow joined in 2013 and this is your second post? Welcome back! All I have to add is a link to an Ignition trouble shooting guide as laid out by another frequent poster on these forums by the name of John T. I could rewrite everything he says trying to solve your issue, but why when he has already done it. Best of luck, post back and let us know the results. On a side note why scotchlok for a user name? Maybe it just happens to be some parts of your name that translate to that. The 3M derived wire connectors of the same name are one of the most evil items introduced for use on automotive or machinery wiring systems. Sorry enough said.
Poke this to trouble shoot
 
Rustred was correct in checking the points, also if you use a screwdriver to open them to check spark also use the screwdriver to "short" the points to the side of the distributor, it should have a bright spark. If you have a hot spark there and not so good across the points chances are the points are bad. Worth it to replace them anyway along with the condenser. It's a cheap tune up kit
 
you did not answer the question,...don't need those new parts to see if the tractor runs.
 

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