149 - burnt points?
 

I hate this ethanol crap gas we have now in old equipment. As such, I shut off the fuel valve and run my engines dry when I won't be using them for a while. Well this practice bit me I think. I ran my 149 out of gas and forgot and left the ignition key on. Now the engine turns, but won't fire. Did I burn the points by leaving the ignition on? Should I just slip a points file between the contacts and go, or do I need new points and go through the K-series Static Ignition timing proceedure?

Yes there most likely burnt, new points would be best but cleaning them with a file might get you by if you need it.

I file all my points , if that's the problem filing them should work, don't forget to check the gap after

It depends on how bad they are, if you left the key on for a long time they may be welded together AND the coil may be burnt up.

Without getting into it, all you can do is expect the worst but hope for the best.

Good luck.

It was left on about 24 hours. Didn't think about it hurting the coil, hopefully it survived! I did take the key out, but I think what happened is I was able to remove the key with the ignition switch still in the on position. Maybe tomorrow will warm enough to investigate. Cross fingers. The starter quit on my old Wards/Gilson the same day, so I'm tractorless right now, Not a good feeling. Got to get one of the old girls up & running, and also need to find the source of the bad oil leak on my 1810. Come on spring heat!

Looks really tight to get the points cover off with the engine in the frame. Am I looking at unbolting the engine from the frame and tilting it a bit to gain good working access to the points? Any tricks?:bigthink:

No need to unbolt the engine. IIRC Wide frames should have an access hole in them for the lower points cover screw.

30 seconds into the video shows the location of the hole for the bottom bolt on the points cover.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nika9wbvAk

coils tend to go bad to if the points were closed, if it looks like it's seaping a little oil , replace it. you can also ohm it out. its a 5 ohm coil

If your lower mounts are shot and the rails are sitting on the X member, that lower screw can still be a pain to get out through the hole.

Replace 'em with allen wrench socket head screws If Ya don't have a "wedgie" type screw driver or a magnet one.

The 149 is a solid mounted engine

I only ever put the top screw in the points cover, the bottom one is a pain even with a hole in the frame.

Awesome guys, thanks. Sure helps to know what you are looking for! I've seen access holes in other places on Wide Frames, but I sure missed that one for the points~

I got lucky again (this 149 fell in my lap, inherited from my uncle)! The points were not welded together. A few strokes with a point file, and the old Kohler fired right back up, none the worse for wear! And now I have a spare set of points in the garage if I need it. Now to replace the front oil seal on my 1810...

Excellent, glad to hear that everything came out good.