I made a mess of this. I did not put the new cap on correctly. My bad. I had taken the time to make sure all the plug wires were in the same position on the new cap…BUT….I had the cap backwards! When I attempted to start it would not. Removing the cap I saw the rotor was in three pieces. I also then noted how the cap was supposed to be installed. New rotor….tried to turn the dist cap 180 degrees but the wires twisted so I repositioned the wires…incorrectly….because when I started it it obviously was running on two or three cylinders. I then repositioned the wires on the cap using #1 as a starting point and made sure in CCW they went to 1-2-4-3 cylinders. Fixed? No. It will start and run but does not sound right.
So…my question….I positioned the flywheel so I could see the 8 degree timing mark was in position and expected that the rotor would be pointing at #1 but it is pointing at #4. What is this old guy doing wrong? Am I leaving out a step somewhere? Frustrated in Westport. Dave

Give the crankshaft another full turn and you will be at 8 degrees with the rotor pointing at #1. Just make sure #1 is on the compression stroke. Good luck.

Thanks Paul. Another question. If it points to #1 and is not on compression will the tractor run? Dave

Has to be on compression with rotor pointing to that cylinder to fire.

Thanks again Paul. I turn the key and it starts so I expect everything is AOK. I have ordered new ignition parts to update all those. I do appreciate your taking time to answer. Dave