my 1960 john deere tractor will not start?

Check that you have power feed to coil, turn engine until CB. points are closed, then flick open the CB. points with a small screwdriver and you should get a flash across the points. If not, check connections are clean and secure, and that points are correctly fitted and gapped. This is a basic check of the coil LT. circuit. If no joy, looks like your coil LT. circuit has failed. If you do get a spark at the points, remove the centre lead from the dist. cap and position it about half inch from a good earth. Flick open the points and you should get a good HT. spark. If you don't, it again indicates a faulty coil. You could of course try another coil if you have one, or can borrow one.
Hope this may be of some help.

Mr. Toad
October 2008