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trying to get my M running

J

Jake in NY

Member
I just traded my dad a heifer for his old M. It has sat for a good 8-9 years without running and now I want to get her going again.

I just put a new battery in her but when I turn the key I get nothing. I'm thinking starter solenoid? So then I get thinking that if I have to replace that stuff then maybe I should check out putting in electronic ignition and the Pertronix coil. Looks like it will cost $100 or more to do that. Is it worth doing? I will probably pull at a couple of local pulls just for the fun of it, not trying to win any trophies. Will use the old girl around the farm so would like a good running tractor.

Any opinions welcome.

Jake (who now lives in CT)
 
Those can have the starter jamb into the teeth of the Flywheel and lock. For first attempts, put it in high gear and rock the daylights out of the rear tires forward and back. If the fan moves, it is not jammed. I would see if the lights work, if not find out why!. If they are turned on, and the starter is engaged they should dim way down if the starter is jammed or the engine is stuck.
If the engine is stuck, take out the plugs and pour in about 1/4 cup of auto trans fluid in each hole. Reinstall the plugs and let it sit for several days. See the archives for details on both issues. Much good reading. JimN
 
You need to make sure all battery connections are clean & tight including where the battery is grounded if the battery cables are cracked and frayed I would replace them with 00 battery cables. Take a screwdriver and short across the starter solenoid and see if the engine will crank. Make sure its out of gear and the brakes are set. To get the engine to start you need to do a few checks. If you have a distributor you need to check for battery voltage at the coil. With the points open you should have battery voltage on both small terminals. Clean the points with some 320 wet or dry until shiny. You need to make sure you're getting gas to the carburetor. The carburetor may be gummed up from sitting with old gas and the gas tank. Hal
 
Make sure the engine isn't stuck by turning it over with the crank.

Make sure it actually has a key start, and not just a key ignition. Follow the battery wires. If you see a big button switch connected into the wires that looks like an old-fashioned high-beam-headlight floor switch, that's the starter button.

Assuming your Dad converted his M to solenoid start like my Dad did to his M: Do you get nothing, or a click? If nothing, the solenoid may be rusted up. If you get a click, you've got dirty contacts. Clean 'em up with battery terminal cleaner and one of those inside-outside battery brushes. If they're those clamp-on replacement battery ends, take them apart and clean them up too.
 
Jake I have put a pertronix in one of my old gas tractors and in my '69 yale fork lift. For what you gain in reliability and loose in maintenance time it just doesn't make sense to stay with points.
 
IMHO, get it running and see what it needs before spending the money on the pertronix. You could very well find that the engine needs some costly repairs, and that it's not worth the time and money. If you get the pertronix now you'll have an extra $100 sunk into it that you didn't need to.

Most of the time you can simply file the points and reset the gap to get it running. Coils rarely go bad. Worst case, a complete tuneup kit with points, condenser, cap, rotor, and spark plugs is $29 at Tractor Supply.
 
If it has been sitting for 8 or 9 years I would not advise putting it in neutral, locking the brakes, and try cranking it with bypassing with a screwdriver. Just too many unknowns as far as the clutch, brakes, and transmission. Have you tried pulling it? Be safe!
 
Dont let anybody blow smoke as far as points not being reliable.I use 2 gas tractors all the time.I havent changed points in either for 6 years,but they dont set for months at a time and are shedded
 
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