What on earth did I do?

So I decided to troubleshoot, have gas (the gas valve was opened, closed now, pulled plug to check for fire dang if I can see any, checked points, and can't see spark there eiter. This is a side mount distributor 6V, the previous owner put a new carb, coil, and regulator prior to my purchase. It was running fine when he delivered it yesterday. Come to think of it it was hard to start this morning. So how bad did I break the o girl? Is this easily fixable?

Based upon your "lack of spark" report, you could have anything from bad electrical connections to a bad 6 volt positive ground battery. You can actually run several days on a 6 volt battery without your tractor generator charging it.

There is a real good chance your ignition points have slipped, especially if they were recently replaced. The special 8-32X3/16 holddown screw actually wears out and the thread doesn't hold.

Remember the 6 volt mantra: "keep'em clean, bright, and tight". ..... ..Dell

Upon checking the points, they had slipped to the point that they were not opening, plus the wire that runs between the coil and bottom of the distributor wasn't "clean, brite, and tight". After making those adjustments, it started right up and I worked for a few more hours.

Then it suddenly quit on me. When I hit the starter there was nothing. Apparently my generator hadn't been charging and that nice new battery I got last fall finally got used up.

Charging it tonight and tomorrow will see what else I can find. Gotta love these 50 year old tractors. :)

Justin

Since you have your generator and voltage regulator and all your associated electrical wiring harness right out in the open, I would start sniffing there.

And if you're having "battery charging problems" start inspecting wiring harness and voltage regulator up behind your dash panel as opposed to far upfront where the generator is. ..... ...Dell

So how bad does it sound that this wire shorted out while running. It's not totally burnt through just good a blackened. I'm wondering if it shorted out the entire ignition system since I was filling spunky and checked for spark while holding the plug agaisnt the block = no spark :( no shock :)

Justin

As to your gas in the carb, I had a LOT more in mine! :-) Yours should have dried out in an hour or so.

I would recommend your keeping the valve shut off, regardless of how new the float valve is. It can still get a bit of crud in it that lets gas leak by. Then it will fill the carb and flow into the carb air passage - some people have even found that it has filled up the engine cylinders - given enough gas and time and the air joints are good and tight - as they should be. I have made a habit of going to the left side each time I am going to use the 8N, I put in the key and open the valve (both are on the same side so it helps) THEN I get on the tractor and start it. When I stop I get off to the left shut the valve off and remove the key. I have neighbor children that I let "play" in my barn lot - their house backs up on my farm, I'm right in a little village - so I pull the key to remove any temptation, not to keep it from being stolen since it can so easily be jumped.

Regards,
Larry