Non PT 12v points coil/distributor wiring on Oliver tractor :)

[Chad-1stGen]

Hey all,

Visiting my Family's farm and on a really slow connection so having trouble searching for info. I'm trying to get my family's old Oliver tractors running. They were running when parked 15 years ago but nobody prepared them for storage and they have just sat.

I'm working on one that I believe was converted to a 12v system. Anyhow, I got it turning over but it's not even trying to start and appears to have no spark. Was playing with the test light (wish I had my multi-meter here) and it appears the positive side of the coil is wired to the points in the distributor. Both are hot at all times with the key in the on position.

On a system like this where is the negative wired to and how does the positive get power if it's wired to the distributor? Can any 12v coild work or does it need to be special? Looks like the normal cylindrical 12v coils you see on most older vehicles.

Any way to test the coil with just a test light besides trying to spark the coil wire?

Thanks

[MonzaRacer]

OK wel the first thing is it a positive ground system?
Now for the most part the points have to ground the coil so power will flow into the transformer(coil) and when it opens the coil fires.
If its a positive ground the positive had to go to the points if its negative ground the neg goes to the points.
Now for points to operate and live you need a resistor in the power(the keyed side )of the coil.
OR you will burn the points. Just use a single Chryslet ignition resisitor,mounted anywhere and run that power side wire to the coil, also you will need to check the points for burning and possibilite of having a bad condenser too..
If you go to the undrounded side of the battery then go to the dist side of the coil the test light should blink as you crank it.
Good Luck