1958 Ford 861 Tractor

You can certainly convert it to 12V. Batteries are cheaper and last way longer. Immediate gratification? Run a 6V battery and find out why there is no spark. I would guess the points are welded together. I used to sell a lot of parts for tractors because the Almelund Tractor Fest (now Threshing Fest) is 14 miles away. It's a big deal for the tractor rebuilders.