The only down-side is you have to make sure both switches are off when you park it. Replacing wires one at a time can keep you from mixing them up, but it's always a good idea to check the firing order when you get done. What is the difference between a 2n and a 8n ford tractor. The high voltage spark current actually flows on the outermost surface of the core (skin effect). It is possible to restore a set of burned and pitted points if a new set is many miles away.
Checking voltage ahead of and after the switch may not reveal a problem. But then, most people think being able to use the lights without turning the ignition on is an advantage. Cylinders are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 from front to back and the firing order is 1, 2, 4, 3. The plug wires I use do not have boots on the spark plugs, so it is a little less shocking to pull the end at the distributor cap. Ford tractor firing order. Listen for a drop in RPM as a plug wire is removed. Some suppressor wire measured with an ohmmeter may show very low resistance, but still not perform well on these tractors. The combination of heat, humidity, electrical current, and a little oil can form deposits that will cause a set of points to fail. HOWEVER, the main exception to this is if you have "upgraded" the points to one of the breakerless electronic modules. If it looks like black or dark grey fiber rope, it is junk. NO, I do not want help improving my ranking on search engines.
The best spark plug wire choice for these tractors that have been upgraded with a breakerless ignition module is an EMT/RFI suppressor-type wire that has very small spiral windings around an insulated ferromagnetic core/strength material. Firing order on a ford 8n tractor. They should be clean and shiny. Look at the terminal ends. However, unsolicited spam messages sent to my email address are filtered and deleted. Magnecor is one manufacturer that makes a high-quality spiral core spark plug wire that will work well with a breakerless module.
Beware manufacturers who advertise "low-resistance". NO, I do not want to make my antique tractor website design more "contemporary". Grinding the starter more than a few seconds is just adding lots of wear and tear to the cranking system. On a front distributor engine remove and service the distributor. Moisture gets in there and corrosion starts. Of course it won't fire until you turn the ignition on. A good point file really isn't a file, it is a burnishing tool. The chisel end makes it easier to slip between the points. If the conductor core looks like cope or stainless steel wire, you are good to go. A good burnishing tool does not remove material, it cleans and polishes.
This high voltage resistance cannot be measured with a typical ohmmeter. Optimized for Firefox. Any resistance is bad. Modern replacement points are often using materials that are not as good as what was normal back in the good ole days. The ignition system can be used to troubleshoot many problems. An ignition switch will nearly always test ok with a test light or ohmmeter. The ignition switch should last longer without the added load of the lights. I enjoy answering those.
Using just the normal spring tension with points closed, draw the tool back and forth between the points. If your ignition switch is more than a couple of years old, it's probably a good idea to replace it. People who owned a boat back when points ignition systems were common may be very aware of invisible deposits that can form on the ignition points. The ignition switches are not sealed units. YES, it's 1, 2, 4, 3. If you remove a plug wire without a corresponding drop in RPM, you have found a dead cylinder. With the engine running, remove and replace each plug wire. Use spark plug wires with a solid conductor core NOT automotive resistor-core type wires. Ignore the problem and it will only get worse. If you still have points, just stick to the solid core wire. This may require pulling the movable arm away from the fixed contact if the points didn't stop open. If you switch the ignition on just to use the lights (with the engine off) it can fry the coil.
If there are problems with weak spark or and engine that runs good for a while then starts a random missfire, the ignition switch may be the problem. If that is the case, it might be a fouled plug, bad plug wire, bad distributor cap, worn distributor, stuck valve, bad rings, burned piston,... Bad wires are usually pretty obvious. Any resistance added by a bad switch makes for a weaker spark. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with this web site, nor is this site sponsored or endorsed by them in any way.