53' model CA won't start?

I bought tractor 4 months ago that started almost every time within a couple seconds of turning key and now I cannot get it to start I tried pulling the plug out and holding it too ground to see how the spark looked and I've got nothing? No spark at all? I drain the gas out of the carburetor and I never use ethanol based gasoline in any of my small motors we still have a place that sells recreational 90 gasoline so I don't understand why or how anything has changed from when I bought it?

File the points would be my first guess. Could be a dozen other reasons.   MACK

With the distributor cap off and the points on the highest part of the lobe on the shaft check the points gap. You need .020. At the .020 gap and the rotor pointing to number one plug wire terminal, make sure the TDC line on the flywheel is in the center of the inspection hole. Loosen the distributor clamp and rotate the distributor back and fourth with the ignition switch on. Watch for spark between the points. When the points are closed just ready to open, tighten the clamp. If you did not see spark check to see if you have power at the coil with the points open. You need power from the switch to the coil. If you did see spark at the points you have a bad coil if you still do not have spark at the plug. If you then have spark at the plug it should start and run if you have fuel since it was already running and not been tinkered with.

First, check that you have battery voltage at the coil with the key in the run position.

Hunt4Allis wrote: Ok Thanks guys Just need to take the time to look into this now with info greatly appreciated... With no spark on plug electrode while cranking motor over it is puzzling me how it started and ran so good a couple months ago? Nothing's been messed with by anyone on this tractor( including myself) I originally just had to get air in tires was main problem ,but now this Motor was rebuilt 2 years ago so a strong runner with no smoke from motor.

Edited by Sugarmaker - 14 Mar 2018 at 1:07pm

I have started to look into why my 53 CA will not start again I've tried to upload pictures but it says the file is too large I'm currently charging my battery to do voltage checks this tractor has been converted to 12 volt DC and has some type of white what appears to be ceramic box device next to what appears to me to be a solenoid that is next to the distributor cap that the spark plugs come out of if any of that makes any sense? If I could get pictures to upload I would be able to show some if anyone can help with that?

Okay thanks for the input I may have fried that white device anyhow it was extremely hot to the touch when I had the battery charger on it with the key turned a little bit so I switched the key and pulled it out now it's cooled down

With the key in the Run position 6 volts is carried through the coil so I took the distributor cap off and everything in there looks really clean not corroded or anything.

Now what do I check next?

Ok thanks Dick L

I've not worked on any of these older tractors( didn't expect to have to on this one since it started and ran so good when I bought it)

I may need some additional information as to the terminology your using in above post reply from you

Northeast Ohio

Every one of the spark plugs I've taken out of this thing (4) are gapped differently can someone tell me what the spark plug gap is supposed to be?

Ok, now guys

What is correct spark plug wire order off top of distributor ( I should have marked them before I took it apart)

I can't upload pictures because it say file is more than 2048kb

I'm 90 percent sure my plug wires are in correct order, but I am unsure of where the points everyone is referring to are?

There are 2 spring clamps that holds black part of distributor cap on( I removed that but all I see in there is a center spring steel contact point...

not 100% same as yours... but watch.

Here's my plug wire order picture

Sorry I just tuned in but in that picture it looks like the wire going to the distributor is bare? That could be a issue if it is touching anything metal.