HH 100 weak spark...what to do?

[weirdarmadillo]

Now that Im mad about missing Another craigslist deal I've got a fire under my *** to finish my current projects.

I got this sears suburban with a hh100 (10hp) from 1965. Got it from a neighbor a year ago.

I took it home, put it together, and started it up. I even got to ride t arond the yard.

Of course I suddenly had NO time and it sat fir 8 months.

Lo and behold, it didn't start. Ivgot common engine knowledg and ruled out evrything that cold be wrong, gas compression etc.

The problem is a weak spark. I've cleaned points, magnets, replaced condensor, evrything exept replacing the coil itself.

There is a spark, but it's so weak I only see it if I touch the wire to the frame. Meaning it's not strong enough for igniting the spark plug.

Any help is appreciated now that my determination is back.

Thanks all.

 

[anderkart]

Already tried replacing the plug, adjusting the magneto (if equiped) or disconnecting any kill switch?

 

[Rotore]

do you have the right armature gap

 

[weirdarmadillo]

Yup, I also checked for faulty wires. I havnt replaced the coil cause they run bout 140 bucks

 

[weirdarmadillo]

Armature is the two metal prongs from the coil to the magnet on the fly wheel right? And what should the resistance on the coil be, and how would I test that?

 

[anderkart]

Have you confirmed your flywheel key isn't sheared?

I googled the search term Tecumseh HH100 weak spark.
weekendfreedommachines.com seems to have the most info covering this problem. Heres links to 2 threads but if you preform a search while at this site theres supposed to be many more threads covering this fairly common problem with Tec. HH100 engines.
http://www.weekendfreedommachines.com/discus/messages/335/179965.html?1188229565
http://www.weekendfreedommachines.com/discus/messages/335/425987.html?1239396204

 

[Rotore]

Have you confirmed your flywheel key isn't sheared?

I googled the search term Tecumseh HH100 weak spark.
weekendfreedommachines.com seems to have the most info covering this problem. Heres links to 2 threads but if you preform a search on this site theres supposed to be many more threads covering this fairly common problem with Tec. HH100 engines.
http://www.weekendfreedommachines.com/discus/messages/335/179965.html?1188229565
http://www.weekendfreedommachines.com/discus/messages/335/425987.html?1239396204

your right could be a shreaded flywheel key setting of the timing?

 

[weirdarmadillo]

hey anderkart, thNks for the links! That's all the info I've been needing! I've even gohled the same thing and hadn't found that site. Very cool. I'm coin to go by napa
Auto some time this weekend to pick up one of those ford coil, Its greAt to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm sure a sheared key is not the problem cause it's
A weakspark problem and it used to run good. I'd hadn't run it rough, nthing that would have sheared it.

 

[Russ2251]

Exceedingly rare that the old coils fail.

 

[weirdarmadillo]

Ive been talking to guys on www.mytractorforum.com
heres what one guy posted

I think 1967 (late) was the first year Sears HH Tecumsehs had the SSI --I have an early '67 Suburban 12 that has points,and a near identical '68 model that has the SSI ignition...(kinda wish BOTH had points,seeing the SSI is expensive to fix if it fails)..


Ill post a picture later tonight (hopefully).

If thats correct, i wonder if those ford coils will still do the job?

 

[hd4ou]

http://www.perr.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=14

try these guys. most knowledgeable group of fellas i have found but be prepared to post your engine numbers. any and all. guarantee they will get you were you need to be. not saying these fellas here can't but you might give them a whirl.

 

[weirdarmadillo]

Thanks for the link HD! Talkin to these guys today I got almost all the info I've been lookin for, direct and to the point. I havnt heard of the forum before, glad you mentioned it. thanks, Roman