1971 20hp no fire

[chaser32]

Here is my delima. I have a 1971 20hp chrystler that ran fine last year. When I went to start it this year nothing happened. I pulled the plugs and while pulling the the rip-cord didnt get any spark on either plug. Then I pulled the plugs out of the wires and held the spark plug wires while pulling the rip-cord and no shock. I had a guy tell me to replace the coils, but I have a problem believing both coils went bad at the same time. My question is can I check the coils without buying new wons are am I going about this wrong and should check something else first. Any help with this matter would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1971 20hp no fire

Before you go checking the coils, you need to clean the points and reset them and possibly replace the condensers. If the condensers look shiny and ok with no broken wires, then they probably are ok. usually a bad condenser has a broken center wire or has corrosion leaking out or a split outside case. Points need to be cleaned with a point file--emery is conductive--or regular garnet sandpaper. Then re set them to .020 gap open. If you decide you want to replace them with new, A single set of points is about 18 bucks and there are two under the flywheel.