Thanks for the welcome everyone. I an handy but have not worked on points based engines in 40 years, positive ground and tractors not at all. From what I can see in the forum I expect to have a great deal of fun with this project!!
Here we go. I have what I was told (and does appear to be) a 1963 Ford 4000 tractor - 4 cyl gas (decal present). I purchased re-printed manuals and have the original owners manual. Will get the serial number on my next trip to work on it.
First try no crank so checked and found bad battery and bad solenoid.
Replace solenoid and battery - hooking it up exactly as the removed (pos gnd)- however the bat I removed was 8 volts rather than 6. Put it back to 6 as I have chargers for that voltage (not 8) and it is the original spec voltage.
Key on, starter button mow cranks engine, trans in park (or neutral), part choke, part throttle, but no start or any attempt to fire so...I pulled #4 plug and cranked engine with it grounded to block no spark. No spark at high tension coil wire when held near block ground either. I don't really expect it to start yet as I know the fuel is old and the tank and carb needs cleaning; will rebuild/clean once I know I have spark.
I then replaced as I could basic maintenance electrical parts (points, condenser, cap, rotor and plug wires) and since I suspect a bad coil now have a coil and VR to carry with me on this weekends trip but will only use as needed. (it is 100 miles from home and 40 miles from any civilization at the family farm).
With what I have been able to read on many threads I believe there are a combination of areas that may contributing to a non fire/ spark/start. See, below -Am I on the right track? Also thanks for any guidance you can provide. I really want to get this together - it belonged to my wife's father and means a lot to the family.
1. Coil wires may be reversed - going back up this weekend to check every wire and trace electrons. Have new 6V coil; marked + and -. Am I correct in what I read in other threads the + should go to distro?
2. Ground cable (pos) is only about 1/2 there destroyed by corrosion, I made up a new one (2 gauge) but at least 1 thread suggested that it should be no less than 0 gauge. It is also connected to the tranny side at the battery tray bolt - not the engine side- should I find 0 gauge and/or move it?
3. I cannot find any info on the select-o-speed tranny or if it can kill the start (or if it does how). There is a wire from the starter button that goes to/thru the top of the tranny that I do not see on any diagrams of discussion so far. It bothers me that the the starter turns the engine over regardless of selected gear - thought it had to be in park?
4. Can I hold off on working the charging side (i.e. gen/VR polarity, etc.) until I see good spark? That wiring for that side although dirty appears to be original and in place.
5. Not having seen it run I am not certain any of the gauges are working and both panel bulbs are missing. If the amp meter is bad, since is directly in the circuit - will it keep it from starting? from the diagrams it I don't think so but cannot tell. All fuses read good. Light switch works and both front lights work - rear not at all.
