Can't get er to start

[851 roger]

I have an Ford 851 powermaster. Went out to start it and no spark. I pulled the cap and rotor bug and there is no spark at the points when it's turned on and cranking over. All the wires are connected. It ran several months back when I need to move some snow. A little help would be good cause I really don't want to go back in the house!!!!

 

[Looking4new]

Have you checked the coil?

 

[851 roger]

I don't know the process to check it. I do know what and where it is though.

 

[851 roger]

Ok I have 12 volts with the key on through the coil, into the distributer, and to the moving side of the points. I first pulled the coil wire and held it by ground while cranking and have spark there.

 

[851 roger]

I got it going, thanks

 

[DJ54]

What was the problem..??

 

[Soundguy]

most likely, dirty, oxidized points.

your post saying you had power to the moving arm of the points means the coil primary was intack. the only thing left in the path is, well, ground. and that's the fixed arm of the points. it's literally chassis ground.

points probably coroded since last use, and just the act of dinking with them knocked it off.

take a piece of coarse paper and pull it thru the closed points to clean them. if you use white typing paper. it may leave a streak. that streak is stuff that was on the points.