Starting an IH C which was restored but left to sit for ...

Ron Corkum · Apr 24, 2009

I purchased this tractor, a 1952 IH C recently. It was nicely restored 6 years ago.The owner drove it once I believe then left it stored in a large dry storage area at his place of business.
I am trying now to start it.I have fuel to the carb,I took it apart to make sure the needle was free.The tractors fuel had been drained at thetime of storage so all seems well here.On the fire side ,I have fire at the points but seemingly not at the plugs.This tractor was also converted to a 12 volt system.
What is my problem? I cannot get any music from this lovely tractor. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Bob M · Apr 24, 2009

Ron - Are you getting fire at the coil?

Pull the coil wire out of the center tower on the distributor cap, attach a clean spark plug on the end of the wire then lay the plug on top of the coil (or fix the coil wire so the end’s ¼” or so from grounded metal). Now manually work the points open a few times with the ignition on. You should get a nice, fat spark each time the points open.

If you get a good spark most likely the distributor is out of time. Retiming it should get the tractor running.

However if you DON’T get a spark, suspect a bad coil or (long shot possibilities…) a failed condenser or bad coil wire.

old · Apr 24, 2009

Could be a bad coil, bad cap, bad or missing rotor. Seen more then one that had the rotor pulled when parked so as to make it hard to steal or forgot to even put it back in
Hobby farm

teddy52food · Apr 24, 2009

Don't mess with the timing. It doesn't change from sitting 6 years. A condenser can go bad though. Check or change the condenser and clean up the points to get fire out of the coil. Then if the fire doesn't get to the plugs, make sure there is a rotor in there. Could be a corroded coil wire, bad cap etc. Once you have spark at the plugs & it doesn't start , then check the timing.

shoo_giesty · Apr 24, 2009

if its been sitting for that long the points are probaly corroded. and having no spark would also lead to that. file the points clean and she probaly go.
tim

Starting an IH C which was restored but left to sit for ...

Ron Corkum

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Bob M

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old

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teddy52food

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shoo_giesty

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