Hey guys, I have an older Ariens snowblower with a Tecumseh engine, most likely from the seventies. I have use it a couple of times this year but when I did it would backfire at idle. the last time I tried to start it, it would not go. I talked to my boss who used to sell and service ariens and he said it sounded like the point and condenser. I took it all apart and went to change the points. the last guy had stripped the screw holding the points on, so I took the point plate off so I could put it in the vise. Needless to say I did not mark where the plate went on. I have put it back in relatively the right place but I can't be sure. I have the points gapped and cleaned and it still will not catch. When I pull the rope I get that one easy pull like it wants to go but it will not catch. I have had the flywheel off three or four times checking the points and I had to replace the recoil rope and the key in the crankshaft. I am tired of hitting my head up against the wall. Could you help me please. How critical is the point plate placement and how would I get it back where it should be. I don't have any fancy tools like a dial indicator and I need to get this thing running. Help please.

 

Sometimes you can see the bolt marks really well and you can put the plate back on to where those bolt marks line up perfectly and get away with it. Then gap the points and check for good spark.

 

I have tried that but since I already put the plate back on I have created new bolt marks and I'm not sure If I'm getting it rights. I have had it apart multiple times making little adjustments and I am really frustrated. I'll give it another go and see what happens.

 

The procedure to set the timing is in the shop manual you can get one here:

http://www.mymowerparts.com/pdf/Tecu...NES-692509.pdf

You will need a dial indicator. This should be done every time you replace the points it doesn't matter if you move the stator or not the engine should be timed. It is possible to measure with feeler gauges but you would need to remove the head. You would need to get the model number to look up the correct timing BTDC in the service manual. HM70-100 is 0.090 H50-HH70 is 0.080

 

I'm new to this site so if I've posted in the wrong spot please redirect me. My Tecumseh engined snow blower won't fire at all. I've rebuilt the carb, changed spark plug, gapped it properly, checked for spark, checked for fuel, even sprayed a bit in the spark plug hole. Absolutely no ignition. Compression is good. What am I missing?

 

Have you checked the flywheel key?

 

No I haven't. I'll get back to you. Thanks

 

The flywheel key was good, but the air/fuel mix was way off. that's what it was. Thanks for the help.