No points!

[RJR49 151]

I have a 1975 C-160. Points, plugs, and a condenser. Runs great.  That's what i grew up with. My brother gave me his 1977 C-160. No spark, but no points either! Any advise from you younger guys would be appreciated

[ebinmaine 74,411]

Same engine. 

Both had points. 

Can you post pics or engine numbers from the 77?

[702854boy 241]

Thats the breaker less style of ignition so ot doesn't have points but I've seen on here that if it works, its great, but once they fail its better to just convert it over to a points style. I think @Handy Don might be able to help but I don't remember exactly who all ive seen post this.

[702854boy 241]

I guess @ebinmaine has more knowledge and faster fingers than me

[RJR49 151]

Is there any way to test this? It has a coil, and plug. I tested the plug wire but I'm not sure about testing the coil. I'll probably use the one on the 1975. I know it's good

[ebinmaine 74,411]

15 minutes ago, 702854boy said:

I guess @ebinmaine has more knowledge and faster fingers than me

 

Kohler 16 HP had points from 1973 to the mid 80s. 

 

9 minutes ago, RJR49 said:

Is there any way to test this? It has a coil, and plug. I tested the plug wire but I'm not sure about testing the coil. I'll probably use the one on the 1975. I know it's good

 

 

Pics of the existing coll? 

[RJR49 151]

I'm wondering what you guys think of this?

[ebinmaine 74,411]

1 minute ago, RJR49 said:

I'm wondering what you guys think of this?

 

 

I dunno if that fits any Kohler....

 

..   But you should diagnose the existing issue before attempting modification. 

 

 

 

[oliver2-44 10,971]

It sound like the 77 has a Kohler Magnum engine which would have the breaker less electronic ignition.  You can or put the coil from the 75 on it. The Kohler manual has testing instruction for the breakeless ignition. Make sure you do not connect any 12v power to the breaker less coil or trigger. 

[Handy Don 14,596]

1 hour ago, 702854boy said:

Thats the breaker less style of ignition so ot doesn't have points but I've seen on here that if it works, its great, but once they fail its better to just convert it over to a points style. I think @Handy Don might be able to help but I don't remember exactly who all ive seen post this.

Sorry, haven’t yet had to do a conversion!

[702854boy 241]

32 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Sorry, haven’t yet had to do a conversion!

No problem, I couldn't remember exactly who I'd seen talk about it but for some reason your name rang a bell.

[Racinbob 12,222]

Through the years we've only had one with the breakerless. It was a Raider 12. Never had any trouble with it but..............

 

 

 

[Racinbob 12,222]

10 hours ago, RJR49 said:

I'm wondering what you guys think of this?

 

Those are coil packs. I kinda doubt it.

Nova has/had a points eliminator. I had a couple but it's my understanding that they won't work on a battery ignition. 

[953 nut 62,035]

12 hours ago, RJR49 said:

I have a 1975 C-160. Points, plugs, and a condenser. Runs great.  That's what i grew up with. My brother gave me his 1977 C-160. No spark, but no points either! Any advise from you younger guys would be appreciated

Is the engine a Kohler? Some 1977 C-160s has Onan engines.

What are the engine SPEC numbers on your engine ( should be 711128 ) and the engine from your brother's "77 C-160?  The engine in your brother's may not be the engine the tractor was built with. Knowing the Kohler Spec number will allow you to find out what ignition system the engine has.

[ebinmaine 74,411]

51 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Kohler? Some 1977 C-160s has Onan engines.

 

C160 was made 1974 - 1977. 

 

1974 had either the not so common Tecumseh OHV160 in C160-8 tractors only, or the Kohler in either automatic or manual transmission. 

 

To the best of my knowledge  ALL 1975 76 77  C160-8 and C160 Automatic were built with the Kohler K341..

 

 

[RJR49 151]

Seems like I made a mistake. It looks like this one does have points. 

[RJR49 151]

I guess that the easiest thing todo is replace that points and condenser. Probably the coil too

[ebinmaine 74,411]

2 hours ago, RJR49 said:

I guess that the easiest thing todo is replace that points and condenser. Probably the coil too

 

My advice would be to determine the EXACT issue. 

 

CLEAN the points first. 

 

See if it runs. 

 

At that point determine if the points NEED replacement. ... or just leave as is. 

My experience shows me that the original stock parts are likely better than most modern pieces. 

 

 

[RJR49 151]

They're probably not original but I'll try that first. Do you know how to test the cap & coil? I can "borrow" them from my 75 but I've always been curious about testing.

[RJR49 151]

Ebinmaine you've done it again!  The points are Kohler and not in bad shape. Especially, since the rubber gasket was not in place. But taking you're advise i cleaned the points. Sprayed some starting fluid in the carb and it started. I let it run for a while then shut it off. Tried again and it fired right up without the starting fluid! Tomorrow I'll tighten the tow valve and see what happens when I try to move it.