Ford 8n won't start, makes a pop when ignition button is pressed

[blazerboy4]

Ok. I decided to finally start messing with the 47 8n that has been sitting in my grandma's garage for the past 15 years. I'm 20, and i have mediocre mechanical knowledge, but the old tractor is beating me so far. I put a new 12 volt battery in (it was converted to 12 volts). The headlights light up! But.. when i turn the key and press the ignition switch there's just a pop and tiny bit of smoke rises out of the battery compartment. Any advice at all is appreciated. The old battery was hooked up so that it was positive ground, so i hooked up this battery the same way. Ideas??

 

[Stimw]

Best guess is the points need service. The easiest way to work on them is remove the coil and cap and remove the two bolts that hold the distributor on. It can only go back on one way so don't worry about timing.
Not sure if a 12V conversion is positive ground????
Does it have a generator or Alternator?
Are you getting CLEAN FRESH fuel? You always have to choke an updraft carburetor to get them to start.

 

[lilranch2001]

If the starter is not turning, all the ignition in the world is not going to do a thing for him
He needs to get the starter turning first

 

[Soundguy]

12v positive ground??

it COULD have a generator.. aming P ground ok.

it could have a RARE p ground alt.

i'd like to hear about that before we procede. he may have a cooked cable , bat terminal end or alt by now.

ps. the pop sounds like a bad connection