51B starter (Clooney John T.)

I have used three different batteries on this tractor and they have all been charged previously so I know that the battery is good. The battery cables are all large enough and look to be in good condition, I will however check them again or replace with different wire tomorrow.
The tractor runs good once I get it started, however I do remember that it does not seem to charge the battery much if at all.
It has a distributor, not a mag.
I have installed new plugs. points, rotor and condenser last fall, once started it ran good.
If I hold the starter switch down continually the starter (and belt pully) turns one revolution and comes to a complete stop then turns one more revolution and stops again over and over. It does not sound like the starter kicks out like a bad car starter does. It just slows to a stop then goes again.
I will check the starter switch tomorrow.
If possible let me know how to set the timing and I will try that too.
Thanks for all your help.

~ To re-set the timing… remove the L/H spark plug [or better yet both spark plugs] & the tin cover from the center of the flywheel cover. Then turn the engine in the direction of rotation using the starter until the L/H cylinder is just coming up on compression, then put the tractor in high gear [clutch engaged] & roll [or bump] the tractor forward or rearward until the punch mark on the flywheel hub lines up with the dimple on the flywheel cover hole [the flywheel slot should be parallel with the floor at this time]. Then loosen the distributor retaining bolts & rotate the top of the distributor all the way forward, then re-install the L/H spark plug in the plug wire & lay it on the block where you can see it from the distributor side of the tractor, then turn the ignition switch on & s-l-o-w-l-y rotate the top of the distributor to the rear until you see a spark across the L/H plug. That’s all there is to it. Then tighten the distributor down & re-assemble everything.

~If the ignition timing isn’t the cause of the problem, suspect a starter problem or wire resistance problem. Pay close attention to the ground side of the system & where the battery grounds to the battery box, & where the battery box grounds to the tractor rear end housing. Clean the battery cable ground connection to the battery box then clean & install new bolts & washers where the battery box bolts to the tractor. Make sure the ground cable is big enough & if it’s the woven strap type make sure it isn’t corroded & thin. Over the years I have found that many starting problems are related to that battery box ground area. If originality isn’t a big concern you might want to just run a heavy duty 2/0 battery ground cable from the battery ground post directly to a [new & shiny] battery box bolt in the rear end housing & chase the threads in the rear end housing with a tap prior to installing the bolt.

~If the starter cables & ground cable aren’t the problems you will probably have to pull the starter & look for worn brushes, worn bushings, poor solder connections, dirty commutator, or signs of overheating & burnt wires. If nothing obvious found you should probably have it tested at a starter/generator shop.