MF 175 Ignition problem

[mcwinter]

I'm looking for help diagnosing a likely ignition problem with my 1974 MF 175 with a Perkins gasoline engine. I inflicted maintenance on the tractor last fall when it appeared to have an ignition issue. The tractor would run fine, but occasionally die as if the ignition switch were turned off. It would not restart immediately. I ended up replacing the coil, distributor cap, rotor, condenser, points, all ignition wires, and plugs. The coil and wiring appeared original (44 years old!) since they were painted the same color as the engine. When I removed the wire from the coil, there was oil in the connection. I believe there is a dielectric oil in the coil that was leaking out.

After replacing all these parts, the tractor starts and sounds normal when cold. However, after approximately 3-5 minutes of warm up things change. The engine sounds like it is missing and begins backfiring randomly. It also has almost no power. Sounds like it is out of time but I don't believe I would have affected timing with the work done. I'm sure this issue is related to the parts I replaced. I purchased an ignition kit from Yesterday's Tractor (description below). I had to purchase different plugs separately since the ones that came with the kit were not consistent with the manual.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Mike


PARTS MF Tune Up Kit, With Plugs - This 4 cylinder Tune Kit is for Delco Distributors with screw type cap. VERIFY SPARK PLUG SIZE as this kit comes with AL386 that are 18MM, 1\2 inch reach and 7\8 hex size. For tractor models 35, 50, 65, 135, 150, 165, 175, 180, 1100, MH50, 202, 204, 302, 304, 356. Includes plugs, points, condenser and rotor., PN: MF-ITK-40, $17.63, Qty: 1
PARTS MF Coil, 12V - This 12 Volt Coil with internal resistor comes with bracket for Delco distributor with screw held cap. For tractor models 202, 204, 302, 304, 356, MF1100, MF135, MF150, MF165, MF175, MF180, MF35, MF50., PN: 189673M1, $7.13, Qty: 1
PARTS MF Distributor Cap 4 Cylinder - For tractor models 35,50,65,135,150,165,175,180,1100,MH50,IND 202,204,302,304,356. This is a Delco style screw on cap., PN: 1024914M91, $5.99, Qty: 1
PARTS MF Spark Plug Wire Set, 4 Cylinder, Univeral - Universal Spark Plug Wire Set, 4 Cylinder, straight boot, cut to length., PN: S2097, $12.75, Qty: 1

[Eugene]

3 to 5 minutes run time, fuel flow problem.

[Rick Spivey]

I would also try and find any possible short in the ignition wiring (key to coil, etc.); it might be that as things warm up something moves a little, and intermittently grounds out.

[ajhbike]

I know this is basic and I am sure you have thought of this, but I could not figure out why my 3020 was running so poorly and found that the plugs were out of rotation. Then I would move on the fuel and carb

[mcwinter]

Thanks for the suggestions. Appears the problem is the points. I took the distributor cap off and after some finagaling got the rotor lobe on the points rub block, and the gap was almost non-existent. I readjusted back to the required 0.025" and reassembled. Tractor ran much better, though it still seems to miss occasionally. I'm wondering if I purchased a sub-par quality ignition kit.

[Indy4570]

sub par seems to be the norm today, I had to return a $15 ignition switch to O'Reilly's today. The tube portion going through the dash spun in the housing instead of the nut coming off -_-