wd has no spark?

I don't know which mag you have, but remove the dist cap and mark the position of the rotor. The remove the mag cap and look at the points. You can run a little fine sandpaper through the point s to clean them, then use a small piece of pasteboard (match book cover, cereal box top) run it throught the points to clean away any grit. Reassemble and check it for spark. Some of the mags will lose time when the cover comes off, others will retain their time, it depends of the model. LOL Bob

Edited by Chalmersbob - 29 Jul 2012 at 9:42pm

As Bob mentioned, depending on the model of the Mag, the model "J" will be taken out of time when lifing the lower timing cover to service the points. If its a "K" model F/M or and "X" model, the timing gears are part of the breaker plate so you will be okay. The "K" series which came on some of the WD's, has a single rectagular cap. The "X" is similar to the "J", but there is no timing gear on the cover side, so nothing to take it out of time. The contacts probably just have oxidation on them from sitting. A little tuner cleaner or Brakekleen works best without filing the points. When you file points, you remove the Cad plating off of them and in the future when wanting to use the Tractor, you'll be faced with the same problem again, but worst. The tuner cleaner or Brakekleen will clear away the oxidation without the need to file anything. If its a "J" Mag, you need to re-align the timing marks again in order for the engine to fire right up again. Look at the tag that's on the Mag (if still riveted to the unit) It may say "FMJ4B3" It would probably be a good idea to renew the lower cover gasket. That's why the moisture got in there in the first place. HTH

I just clean the points with a dollar bill. Won't file off the plating but does remove the oxidation. Kip

Especially hard to find here in Canada as our dollar bills were replaced by the "Loonie" coin!!  

hddlh wrote: my wd has no spark.  it's been sitting for a number of years since last run and ran fine when put in shed years ago. wanted to get her going, so replaced gas, oil, plugs and battery.  turns over great but no spark.  no experience with magneto's, what should I be looking for?  thanks for any help

The first thing I would do is determine if it has a kill switch hooked up to the Mag. If there is any wire going to the mag other than plug wires, disconnect it for now and try getting spark.

Good cotton bond paper works, like letters from lawyers.

Gerald J.