Front mount dist trouble

The tractor would start and idle but die if I let the clutch out while in gear. A friend at work suggested I check the points. I've never messed with points before. I bought one of the points/condenser/rotor kits and a new cap from Farm & Home.

This is where project creep sets in.

First, the old cap was shot, the contacts were worn down and there was a crack where the top of the rotor contacts the cap. The problems started when I removed the coil wire from the cap. The cap end of the coil wire has a connector that looks the same as the spark plug wires on the cap end, a small copper tube with a split down one side crimped onto the wire. I can't figure out how this connects to the new cap. The previous owner had it laying on top of the contact at the top outside of the cap. There was no boot and all that held it in place was half a pound of silicone caulk. What kind of connector is supposed to be there? I can't figure out how anything would attach.

The only things I've done so far is removed the old cap, labeled the plug wires and marked where the rotor was pointing. I want to get this figured out before I remove the dist. to mess with the points or I'll confuse myself for sure.

BTW, how much play is acceptable in the rotor? Mine seems awful loose.

Sorry this is so long, but I figure more info is better than not enough.

Thanks for any help.

I'm thinking of ditching the points altogether and going with the Pertronix. If I replace my round 12v coil with a square 12v coil will I still be able to do this?

Thanks again!

If you want to convert to a EI, I would get the round-can coil kit, too, and replace the mess you have, while KEEPING the FAR SUPERIOR round-can coil. The kit replaces the silicone and duct tape you have with a molded plastic cover/connector.

From what you have described, the previous owner gutted the existing square front coil and routed the coil wire from the round coil through the old coil to the distributor. My recommendation would be to get a new square coil and get rid of the "engineered" setup.

If you are around the Colorado Springs area, I can help get you back to a more "normal" front mount 12 volt conversion.

Danny

I wish I was near CO, I'd take you up on your offer, but I'm in MO.

• Hobby farm

All that duct tape is covering where the square coil should mount with a bail over the top. The bottom of the square coil has a spring looking pig tail that fits into a stud-like connector by the condenser. My guess is that this is where he connected the coil wire from the round can coil. My guess is he didn't know how to keep the front mount coils from burning up with 12 volts, so he put the round coil on it.

I still think it will be easier to get a new square coil to go on your front mount distributor and wire it in a standard 12 volt conversion manner. The square coils come in either original 6 volt or 12 volt. With either square coil you will need something to limit the bvoltage going to it. This board can tell you what to use with either.

Danny