Farmall B alternator/distributor

I am thinking we need to revisit that distributor and here is why. The cap does not seem to fit on evenly. Hard to describe but it doesn't snug right down on it's seat all the way around. The inside was filthy. The inner dust cover (thing the rotor sits on per the catalog) fits snug but both little grips are broken off and one of the two raised pieces under the rotor is also broken off. Under the dust cover was more crud. The points I could not see really well but the condensor looks like it might be original. I had cleaned a lot of the junk out of it and the dust cover is on the list to go. I was wondering if maybe a complete tune-up kit plus dust cover would be a good plan? To further my reasoning, it rained all during the night and today there is a constant mist in the air that soaks everything.
Could be getting inside there? Runs better on dry days but not always!

Or it could be a carb problem? Tractor was out of action for 18 months and there was no gas in it. I refilled the tank but did not clean anything.

Tractor started today and ran rough for about 30 seconds, stalled and refused to restart. Other days it has run like brand new. Still other days it has run nicely for a while, then started stalling. Would restart well but soon stall again. Sure would be nice if it would do the same thing consistently.

Opinions would be greatly appreciated!

I have to take my kid to her basketball training today and we go right by TSC. I will stop and look at parts as they are about an hour closer than Case/IH. Hal had a good point and I will try it. Would have been a REAL good indicator of the problem if there was no spark last night. Will keep you posted, thanks guys!

Glad to hear of your progress over on the left side of the tractor. I've been hanging back because I have next to nothing for understanding of alternators. I've been learning a lot, just listening in, though.

From the crud you describe in the distributor . . . Get youself some spray electrical cleaner. Pull the rotor and the dust cover gizmo, and dump the cleaner to her. Take out your points and condensor and clean her out some more.

A tune-up kit -- points, condensor and rotor-- are definitley in order. From the sounds of things,a new cap is a must, too. It's not unusual to find, on old caps that have been off and on a lot of times, that the lugs that key up tio the pase are worn down, and who knows where they will line up. The few degrees they might be off will make a difference in timing up the engine. If you can find a dust cover, great, but it's not something I'd call critical.

I mentioned timing in my email to you, and once you have the working guts of the distributor replaced, it'll be time to look at that.

It also sounds like you're leaving the tractor outdoors???? Nothing wrong with that, but the ignition can be real touchy about moisture. I don't myself, but I see a lot of folks gob a big bunch of rags loosely all around the distributor and cover the top with plastic. There's a drain hole in the cap, but it still allows atmospheric moiture in that can condense and make problems. The rags and plastic are to minimize that. Even if it's kept indoors, if the humidity is too bad, covering it can't hurt.