[AT] 6V vs. 12V ignition question update and some more q's

[Rick Weaver]

Good Morning,

I just wanted to update everyone on what the issue was with the tractor
that wouldn't start.

I had another tractor in the back yard and looked at the distributor.  I
had the wires off by 90 degrees.  Moved them forward on the right place
and it starts now.

@#$%^&*!!

I had taken them off and put a Ziploc over the distributor so wifey
could wash it.  I jotted down the pattern but somehow the piece of paper
disappeared, so I looked at some photos to put the wires back.

I spent several days tinkering.  Anyway, now it has new "just about
everything", including plugs and wires, so it should last a while.

Now to the really weird part.  The tractor in the back yard that I
checked to see the wiring pattern to fix the one in the driveway wasn't
starting either.  On a whim I moved the wires back 90 degrees and the
thing started.  Its wires are now in the position the wires were on the
tractor in the driveway when it wouldn't start.

@#$%^&*!! AGAIN!

But it doesn't run well at all, it won't throttle up, and it needs
choking a little to smooth out.  This would suggest it is running too
lean, but I have backed the adjusting screws out but to no effect.  I
also get some black (not blue or white) smoke, which could indicate a
rich mixture, right?

I just rebuilt the M-S carburetor (maybe I need to work on it again?).
I need to check the timing, but that wouldn't keep it from throttling up
would it?  Any suggestions are welcome.

I haven't yet begun to tinker with the governor linkage because I'm not
sure that is what is wrong.  And if the problem is with the governor
itself, I will have to take the front housing off the tractor, and I
REALLY don't want to do that.

Help!

Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Kevin
Sent: Friday, August 25, 2006 9:56 AM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] 6V vs. 12V ignition question

I have been running a Farmall 504 for the past 5 years on a Pertronix 
igniton.
And have never had a problem yet.
And I got it on ebay for $50.00

I am seriously considering going
to a Pertronix breakerless system,
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Sloane" <mikesloane at verizon.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group"
<at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Friday, August 25, 2006 10:10 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] 6V vs. 12V ignition question


>I am no authority on this, but I will give you my 2 cents: The coils
used 
>in most of the older ignition systems were designed for 6 volts, and
when 
>the manufacturers (or owners) changed to 12 volts, rather than change
the 
>coil, they just put a ballast resistor in series with the primary wire
to 
>reduce the voltage to the coil.
>
> That being said, the condenser generally are not sensitive to
something as 
> small as going from 6 to 12 volts, so I don't think that is your
problem.
>
> If my all too frequent experience is any guide, I would look for
corrosion 
> at the points - the current stuff coming in from abroad just isn't as
good 
> as the points we used to get years ago (meaning they are crap, if you 
> really want my opinion). I have had points go to infinite resistance
in as 
> little as a few months, if the weather is humid. The only quick cure
is to 
> file the point with a good hard file, but that won't help their
longevity 
> either, as it removes the supposedly corrosion resistant coating.
Don't 
> count on the points "looking good"; you need a good voltmeter or
ohmmeter 
> (depending whether you are measuring with the ignition on or off) to
see 
> if they are making good electrical contact.
>
> One suggestion give to me is to put a piece of paper moistened with
WD-40 
> in between the points when the tractor isn't in use. I keep forgetting
to 
> try that. On my Ford 860, I am seriously considering going to a
Pertronix 
> breakerless system, but I hate spending the $100 bucks just to fix a
dirty 
> points problem.
>
> Mike
>
> Rick Weaver wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I have a problem, and I haven't been able to diagnose it just yet,
but
>> wanted to ask a question.
>>
>> I have a 6V Ferguson TO-35 that is giving me fits.  I replaced the
>> condenser last week and it fired right up.  Now it doesn't even cough
>> and try to start.
>>
>> As I said, I haven't diagnosed anything (not even to see if the coil
is
>> sparking).  And I'm at work now so cannot go tinker.
>>
>> The question is: is there a difference between the condenser for a
12V
>> system and one for a 6V system?
>>
>> The TO-35's went through a 6-12 V modification halfway through MHF's
>> production, and I wonder if NAPA's crossref doesn't take this into
>> account.
>>
>> Thanks for any help you can provide,
>> Rick
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> AT mailing list
>> Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
>> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>>
>>
>
> -- 
> Mike Sloane
> Allamuchy NJ
> <mikesloane at verizon.net>
> Website: <www.geocities.com/mikesloane>
> Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>
>
> Ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious
> enemy justice can have. -James Baldwin, writer (1924-1987)
>
>
> -- 
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> Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at 

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