What would you do???

[Roadtorque]

Not sure how serious you are roadtorque, but after a few beers I've been known to try most anything while trying to fix up a project.

I'm not serious, it will give you a zap if you try it. Doesnt feel to good

[amphibious drew]

black wire test

Larry,
Thanks, tried the wire test but it still didn't start. I think the noise was just the clutch disengaging when I gave up trying to crank it over.

[LarryW]

Hey Drew

I did some searching and here is a pdf manual on your engine. chapter 8 page 47 starts ignition system. Maybe something there can help you. I would bookmark that as I just did.
8-18hp cast iron 4 cycle tecumseh engines
good luck

[amphibious drew]

great help

Larry, that should be a tremendous help. Thank you. I saved the book and will be doing a series of test after work tomorrow. I feel better keeping this one factory original. I feel confident I can at least diagnose the problem by the weekend and keep my wife from complaining about my expensive immobile toys.

[racerone3]

Larry, that should be a tremendous help. Thank you. I saved the book and will be doing a series of test after work tomorrow. I feel better keeping this one factory original. I feel confident I can at least diagnose the problem by the weekend and keep my wife from complaining about my expensive immobile toys.

if the wife complains too much, just get her one! my wife does more donuts in the yard now than i do as for immobile toys, that's bound to happen. i'm currently at 4 machines, and the last of them, the argo should be back running tomorrow after a 2 month stint in the shop... only a matter of time till the next one breaks and so the cycle continues

[amphibious drew]

Update

Played with the Ohm meter today and it seems the problem may have started with the kill switch wire. When I took more shields off the engine, I discovered the kill wire was run right next to the block causing it to become bare due to heat. I think it probably grounded out against the block and shorted the coil out. Does this sound plausible???

Racerone3: I may need to build her one after I get this one back on the trails. I'm thinking a winter project. And if she doesn't like it then I'll have 2

[jpswift1]

That sounds very likely. This happened to me a while back on one of my old Max II 6x6s. You're right, that Tomahawk is a nice a machine and I think to do anything but keep it original would be a sin. Let us know how you do after you fix the issue. Come up and join us for some riding in Western NY sometime too.

[LarryW]

..... Does this sound plausible???

Bingo. That sure does!!!?

You're right, that Tomahawk is a nice a machine and I think to do anything but keep it original would be a sin. Let us know how you do after you fix the issue.

I agree with Jeff!!! Id keep it original if you can. Keep us updated

[amphibious drew]

Lighter pocket book

Well I made some stops around NW PA today to check on ignition coils. Didn't look promising, however a little finger work on the computer and a phone call to Pats Small Engine and a brand new ignition is on order with a couple of keys just to be on the safe side. I also got my tiny tach today. I guess its a waiting game for now. I'll just have to keep trying to break the bolts that hold the ignition on. They seemed locked up pretty good, but none the less the Tomahawk shall remain completely original.

[amphibious drew]

Update

The ignition coil still did not show up. A call to Pats Small Engine and I found out the backordered part has no time frame of being re-manufactured. It should be at some point in time, but no one's sure when. Depressed a little, but not discouraged I made some stops while I was out and about today and through a guy at a lawnmower shop I got a number for a small engine "shop." The guy, whose shop was his small house on a dirt road, had the part laying around. Put it back together tonight and installed the tiny tach. She seems to be running great. I will try to post a video of the test drive tomorrow. Its still on stands tonight from replacing an axle.

Anyways,
Thanks to all you that helped diagnose the issue.

[amphibious drew]

More trouble

Well I got to drive around for about 20 minutes after I set up the governor. With a total of 32 minutes on the new tiny tach the machine will not start again. I pulled off the flywheel cover and noticed it had loosened up. I read this would cause lack of spark somewhere so I tightened it up, but still nothing. What I did notice is that the flywheel had scrapped the cover housing. Must have been while running. So here is the new question. Would that cause the Stator and Coil Assembly to short out? If so, what special tools are needed to replace this unit as I could not get the flywheel off during prior diagnosis, although I did get the bolt off once.