I'm a novice at this, are the coils suppose to buzz each time the ignition is turned to battery position?
Only if the commutator roller is on a contact point. Often the rler is between contacts, so no buzz.
It just depends on where the engine came to rest when last shut off.
Oscar
No. As Rich points out oily if the timer is making contact with one of the segments.
Set the emergency brake.
Turn the switch on battery.
Hand crank the engine over slowly two full turns, in these two full circles each cylinder's coil will buzz at least once in the cylinder firing order sequence 1-2-4-3 as the timer makes contact for each cylinder.
Do not allow each coil to buzz continually for over 30 seconds on battery.