Tractor Repair: Ford 8 N stopped running, ford 8n, sediment bowl

Question
Hi I read your answer to a previous Ford 8N question about it not running.
Mine was running fine, I went out to plow this spring and on my third pass
the tractor just died. I could not get it running again. The next day I was able
to start it with  a new ignition coil but only after 5 tries - of running the
battery down- Since then no luck. Maybe points adjusting? The fact that it
died while plowing makes me think cam chain, although it did run after that.
thanks
Ed

Answer
Hello,

  Well, you're in luck.  There is no cam chain on those engines, so it's going to be something simple.  First, you will have to determine if it's ignition or fuel related.  Remove a spark plug wire and hold the end about 1/8 inch from some bare metal on the engine.  Crank the engine over and watch for spark.  If it has spark, then it is not getting any fuel.  Remove the fuel line from the carburetor or sediment bowl under the tank, and see how much fuel runs out with the valve open.  If you don't get a full stream, the valve will have to be removed from the tank and blown out with compressed air.  If you don't have any spark, use a test light or voltmeter and check to make sure there is power to the coil with the ignition switch on.  If not, check the switch and the resistor behind the dash.  If there is power to the coil, replace the points and condenser and gap the points to .020 inch.  If you have the earlier style front distributor, it's easiest to remove the distributor from the engine to replace them.  It will only go back on one way, so you can't make a mistake.  If you have the later style side distributor, you've got it easy.