[AT] Well, I guess I didn't really want it to be easy

[DAVIESW739 at aol.com]

With all that you just answered your own  question. No spark si now trace the 
point of entry (battery) to the end (spark  plug)

1. Check wire from battery to switch if hot then from switch to  Coil (you 
did turn the switch on didn't you)  
2. next if all is ok then  check points they should have a small spark when 
open and close then with a  screwdriver.  
3. if all is ok then remove coil wire from top of  distributor and open and 
close point again you should get a good hot spark from  the coil wire to any 
good ground.
4. Next put it all back together and take  one spark plug wire off at plug 
and turn engine over to see if you have a good  hot spark.
5. If all this is Ok then start engine. 
Walt   
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In  a message dated 9/28/2006 6:29:54 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
dean at vinsonfarm.net writes:
Decided to take a vacation day today just to work  on the tractor, and it's
been a good day, if you define that as "getting to  work on the tractor."
Short version is that the 1950 Farmall M is still in my  back yard, still
won't start, and the problem now seems to be  electrical:  no spark.   (It
had a spark last week when I  tested it, and when it started yesterday, but
now I can't get anything.)