Need Opinion

I feel that if I spend the money and get a 12 volt system and then an electronic ignition I won't have to cuss this old tractor every time it doesn't start or starts sputterin after some hard use. Am I off base here or should I continue to fight the points, condenser, etc every couple of months. If I do convert, I plan on getting the kits from the YT site. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

thanks

thanks for your comments, I wish it were that easy, but I have replace the ignition swith once, the ballest resister twice and have bought two coils, not to mention the new wires, plugs, 3 sets of points, 3 condensers, 2 distributer caps, and 2 rotors. So you can see I have pretty much replaced everything in the electrical system at least once and still it only runs good for about 10 hours and then here comes the sputterin.... hopefully the electronic ignition will set her straight.

The problem seems to go away when I put in new points, condenser, and rotor button, and then all of a sudden the problem reappears. My time is limited right now so I need to spend it working the tractor rather than working on the tractor..I think I will go with the conversion kits, that way a good portion of the electrical system will be new and hopefully fix the problem. If not, I will be back on here looking for more solutions. thanks

Kinda like replacing the electrical system in your car when it runs rough...

( shotgun approach.. eventually if you throw enough money and parts at a problem it will go away.. and you will be left with a new tractor and a bunch of old parts that you don't know if they work or not.. )

good luck

Soundguy

If it were me.. I'd fix the problem -then- decide on whether to upgrade. I've got lots of 6v equipment here, and 12v equipment. With a little maintenance and care, they all start good. I think my 6v 8n starts the fastest of anything.

I don't see the big problems with points... if you have your system, electrically correct, and mechanically correct ( bushings in distribuitor.. etc.. ).. you are not gonna have to fuss with points but possibly? yearly?

6v batteries seem to last about the same number of years as 12v batteries.. or at least they do at my house.. which seems to be 3-5 years depending on what it lives in.

Clean feeler gauges, and a decent ignition hone.. or a dollar set of points should work fine.

If the tractor sputters when it gets hot.. investigate that.. would you feel bad to sink 250$ into an electronic ignition and a 12v alt/battery/harness system, and have it sputter when it got hot.. due to a clogged cooling system.. or a cracked block, etc?

You wallet.. your machine.

And I don't think it's an issue of bragging rights when a machine designed for 6v starts like it should...

Soundguy

Mark

But other than spark plug wires my 8N came with no wiring at all, a rusted solid generator, no voltage regulator or ballast resister, a non working amp meter, etc. So I would spend the same money either way and decided to try electronic. It fires up now as quick as a new car every time. I had a problem getting to high rpm's but would've had that regardless of the 6 or 12v system as it turned out since it was a mechanical deal.

On the other hand electronic ignition won't solve the stuck float in the carburetor, governor needing a rebuild or trashed up fuel tank type problems that these tractors invariably have. So for that reason you're better off to get it running as reliably as you can on 6V to make sure you know what the real problem is before you spend the bucks and convert. Otherwise you'll have the same problem afterwards. Just a better ignition system.

That's what Dell means when he says don't convert until the tractor is running right. And
for those reasons both Bruce and Bob are right as they usually are, in my opinion.

If reliability, and the need to have it start when you need it, EVERY TIME are important with no ignition maintenance except for a VERY RARE change of spark plugs , go to 12 Volts and go electronic.

I have done a lot of electronic conversions for myself and others (you otta see the spark my Deere "D" with GM HEI has!), and about the only concern is that many of the systems do not shut the primary current off when the engine "dies" and the key is left on. This causes the module and coil to heat up, and occasionally "die", and, of course, runs the battery down. The Pertronix II system, available for a LOT of older stuff shuts down under those circumstances. I don't know if the new system being offered for the front mount "N's" shuts down, or not, but it would be a nice feature if it did!

All that being said, you sure have had an unusually tough time with your point system! I've still got a few pieces of old iron around with points, and MOST of the time they run! Have you tried premium quality points? They're a little tougher to find than they used to be, but still available.