[Banfiadh]

Greetings all.
figured it was time to hunt down the experts.
I own a 1986 JD 420 garden tractor thats one of my most valuable tools for getting things done around my place.
Started having issues with it recently and finding a lot of nothing online other than questionable parts, I figure it was time to find people that might actually KNOW something about my tractor since The Corporation wants to pretend these don't exist anymore.
Ive got the Snowblower, 54" Blade and 50" Mower and would like to add to the attachments for it, but my primary issue right now is I believe, electrical in nature.

 

[Kster526]

Welcome 420’s are nice units
You did not say what issues you were have only that you were having
a few.
From what area do you hale from?

 

[tsb3]

Welcome to JDFanatics!

 

[Banfiadh]

Thanks.
Alright.
86 420 Garden tractor with the Onan B48G engine.
So what I suspect is the issue is a deteriorating coil.

I can find a lot of sketchy sounding ones that appear to be designed for a later electronic ignition, but I am fairly certain I have a points ignition. None of them seem to have a high satisfaction rating.

From my knowledge and experience on other vehicles, points generally prefer a coil in the 5.0 ohm range, not the ones in the 3.0 ohm range.

Does that run true on the ONAN B48G engine?

Also, where is the points set located on this thing. I don't have a complete set of manuals showing the chassis breakdown and parts location.
I need to make sure it is a points ignition and check the condition and gap on those as well.

Has anyone every tried running a point ignition Harley Davidson coil?
Its a dual tower, dual fire coil similar to the stock JD points coil, just a different shape, but it would be easy to fab a mount for one.

I need to double check, but I think the onan engine even runs the same plugs as my Harley (80/80 Shovelhead) (laughing) which would indicated a similar discharge rate and load on the ignition, humorously enough.

 

[Leonard VanCamp]

Points are on top of the engine, in front of the carb, should be a little box. For Onan parts, check out a site called Boomers Onan Parts, the guy is a Onan guru.

 

[Banfiadh]

Points are on top of the engine, in front of the carb, should be a little box. For Onan parts, check out a site called Boomers Onan Parts, the guy is a Onan guru.

Excellent, thanks.

 

[Banfiadh]

oh yeah. Im in North Idaho.

 

[Kster526]

How about a pic of the iron head.
That was one of my first Harleys. An 80 Sporty. Would love to have it back.

 

[Banfiadh]

1980 FLH Electra Glide 80 inch. "Shovelhead". not quite stock.
Its changed some details a bit a bit since here, but not much.

 

[Kster526]

Electra Glide with some of the extra weight removed!!!!
Can never go wrong owning the older easier to work on Harleys.
Have to watch the open clutch the are shoe wreckers.
Thanks for sharing

 

[HD-JD110Fan]

I've meant to reply earlier but welcome aboard. Thanks for posting your Harley 80 incher photos. We share the same interests, H-Ds and JDs, hence my name on here, HD-JD110fan. I'm mainly an early Sportster and K model fan so I can't offer much advice on your Harley coil to JD adaptation. Hopefully one of the other guys may be able to. We've got a wealth of knowledge here among our members on John Deere's though, so someone may be able to help you out. Good luck and again, welcome aboard.