Help please with 6v system parts!

Our old 54 Allis-Chalmers WD45 (6v.) needs plug wires, coil battery etcetera to get her running. Turns over but getting no spark. I need to know if the parts are tractor specific, or can you get any 6 volt system parts?
Help, thank you!

Some stuff is, some stuff not. Battery, cables, wires, probly not. Spark plugs, coil, distributor related parts,
probly yes. Even though they might not be specific to just your make and model and may very well work on others
but none the less, needs to be the right ones.

I would venture to guess your main problem may very well be a dead battery and corroded points, and perhaps bad
gas in the tank.

No spark is most likely dirty point so they need to be cleaned or replaced simple as that and yes the point are made for that tractor so yes you need to state what your needing points for. If you plan to replace the spark plugs I would go with NGK3112 plugs

Ty! We replaced the gas, plugs & had a new battery and there was no spark. So we want to get the rest of the parts, coil, points etc, but need to be sure we re getting the right ones. She turns over but no spark. Has new plugs and battery and gas. So figured we need the rest!

Ty very much.. Is the coil specific as well?

Obviously you need the correct set of points and condenser that's suited for the tractor and its distributor WELL DUH...That's NOT just any old 6 volt set of points and condenser, the parts or farm supply store usually lists tune up kits for a specific tractor model such as WD45. Try NAPA (my suggestion better quality) or Central Tractor or Rural King or Tractor Supply...??..

A typical cause of no fire is points that are burned or pitted or corroded, CHECK THAT FIRST and replace if badly burned or pitted. If ONLY light burned you may be able to clean them up with a points file and if only gray oxide coated you may be able to drag a dollar bill through them and check the gap.

BEFORE throwing parts at it and guessing as to the cause of no spark, you can use just your eyes and perhaps a simple 6/12 volt test light to find the cause of no spark by following my easy n simple (none or not much equipment even needed) Ignition Troubleshooting Procedure linked below...???

Insure the battery is good and full charged and run my procedure below ???.

Post back any questions or findings.

http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=farmall&th=5745

John T
John Ts Ignition Troubleshooting

Points is likely the problem. Clean, or replace them first. They are alot cheaper than a coil. The coil is
specific to the 6v system, and size and shape may very well be specific as to the installation of it on the
tractor. Make sure you wire it right if you replace that.

For what it's worth, I live in a small farm oriented town. Our local car quest store is very farm oriented. You
can just walk in there and tell them what your working on, even old tractors, and our particular store would have
all this stuff on hand and be able to sell any of this stuff over the counter.

If its 6 volt a 6 volt coil will work even if NOT (as typical) listed for a WD 45. A generic 6 volt coil will likely suffice, it doesn't have to say WD 45 Coil

John T

As said, points, condenser, cap and rotor are specific to the tractor.

Coil is a standard 6v coil, but look at the new coil can itself for any part numbers of voltage specifications before you buy. Coils are confusing to the auto supply employees. They won't have a listing for tractors, so it throws them into bewilderment. Often coils get reboxed and shuffled between suppliers. Easy to get misboxed. Go by the coil, not what's on the box. Better yet check the resistance across the + and - terminals. Should be around 1.5 ohm.

Plug wires can be generic, cut to length, with whatever end angle configuration you choose. I would recommend solid wire core, not resistor if you are keeping it points.

Battery cables, they need to be size 0 or 00. Those are hard to find, usually have to come from a heavy truck supply. They generally make them to length for you.

Start with cleaning or replacing the points and stop there because if you replace a lot of parts many times you add to the problem not fix the problem. A set of points can/will last for years. Shoot I have not replace the points on many of my tractor in over 10 year I just clean them when I loose spark and go

Before guessing and throwing parts at it run my basic simple and easy Troubleshooting Procedure to find cause of no spark, no fancy tools needed mostly just your eyes. Start by checking points, if badly burned or pitted replace or maybe try to use a points file to dress them up. If only gray oxide coated drag a dollar bill thru them to polish up.

See my post above for more info. You need points and condenser for your AC WD 45 NOTTTTTT any old 6 volt tractor. Try NAPA (better quality) or Rural King or Tractor Supply for a tune up kit for that tractor. As long as coil is a true 6 volt coil it will work it DOES NOT have to be specifically for a WD 45

John T
Troubleshooting Procedure

I agree with all of the above, and I disagree with all of the above too.

I've had it with points and condenser ign. I went to the Pertronix module on both my tractors, and was the best $120 investment I ever made. Hot spark, fast starts, no cold misfire, etc. No more adjustments, no more burned point, no more leaking condenser. They earned my business.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Allis-Chalmers-G-B-C-WD-WD45-Pertronix-Electronic-Ignition-Conversion-Kit-ED4C-/142744510989

No allowed to edit, so support our own hosts, and save money too!

https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Allis-Chalmers-WD45_Electronic-Ignition-Conversion-Kit-12-Volt-Negative-Ground_1142.html

Yes! Thank You! I ve looked it all up on here, sent it along to my family member who will be doing the repairs.

I just noted I posted the 12V negative ground. It sounds like you will need the 6V positive ground. Pertronix has that too. Just pop it in, and connect it like a set of points and condenser and away you go.

. Stuff happens! Seems most things are 12v anymore..

Need a 1.5ohm 6V coil.
Any VD from a low capacity battery or high resistance cable/connection will reduce the voltage across the coil = no spark .