ATC70 points?

[Twilight]

Im helping fix this lil atc70 and i cant get it to start. Its been sitting since 1990 and my friend told me it just stopped running after one trip. I am lookin at the manual and see the points but heres the problem; When I get my feeler gauge in there and tighten the screw, it keeps snapping shut.

Points is a new ordeal for me, so I have no idea. Also im wondering if this is too much for a 4yr old? (his son)

[Twilight]

looking like thre points shut no matter what i do

[Jim mac]

pop the flywheel off, maybe its easier to work on. I believe theres a set screw on the throttle you can set the max speed. jim

[Twilight]

okay... that was no help.

i dont see why i came back here..

[Jim mac]

okay went back and reread the first post. You need to set the points so its just starting to open when the flywheel is lined up on the F mark. you said you've never messed with points before. the lobe the points slide on is a cam hence it opens and closes the points. if your setting it on the low part of the points, then yes it will snap shut. jim

[Twilight]

Alright I got the gap set, thanks btw. Checked the compression; 152psi, and poured gas into the cylinder... Nothing at all even triedto start... So could this be because of the wrong spark plug?

By the way, it does have spark.

[peter250r]

if it does have spark then aslong as it has fuel also it WILL start.
you dont pour fuel into the cylinder, you make sure the carby is working properly. and yes it is way too much for a 4 yr old. it'd be ok for a 6 yr old though.
thats when i started riding trikes and a 74atc70 at that.

[darrel632]

K I just did mine retard is set with the points as well and it was a pain if you have a bit of a gap on fire your probably ok for a start do you have a spark? unplug the kill switch (harness unplug should be near the air cleaner) change the spark plug and see what happens. you may have a bad condenser as well or coil or coil wire, or...... they are usually very fussy to set the points right.