Long time lurker, first time poster.
1949 8N with front distributor that has been converted to 12V and not by me. I am somewhat mechanical but don't know much about carbs, distributors, points, etc.I have done lots of searching and am wondering if I am on the right path.
Symptoms -- Tractor was working fine and then recently I was having issues with the tractor taking longer to start (which has led me to running down the battery a few times and needing to be charged) and randomly shutting off while in use. This is in Michigan and previous to these issues it would fire up strongly even when 0 degrees outside. I thought I was having issues with my points or distributor because it would run for 15 to 30 minutes and shut off and be impossible to start again for a few hours, but this last time it has been 2 days and I *still* cannot get it to start. A few days ago while it was running if I tried plowing too much snow the engine would spit and almost stall unless I put the clutch in and let it run for a few minutes. This usually resolved itself although once or twice the tractor shut off with a backfire.
Short version of troubleshooting:
- Gas tank is 3/4 full with new gas
- Gas knob has been tried rotated to 2 turns and all the way
- Tractor will keep turning over until battery dies without firing
- Jumped wires on ignition switch
- Checked one spark plug and it was getting spark while cranking (held close to engine block while cranking)
- Carb fast drips (almost pours) gas after trying to start while choking for too long -- check the single plug I can remove (on the side of the road) and no gas is on the plug
- Poured small amount of gas into the engine after taking out the spark plug -- with it being jumped it will fire once or twice but that is it
- Tried starting while jump starting without pouring gas into spark plug hole -- no dice
- Tried starting while being towed for ~1 mile -- would putter and almost start but when I put the clutch in to let it run on it's own it would die.
My buddy helping me tow figures that it isn't getting gas -- the one spark plug I could get out is not soaked in gas and towing it will not jump start it even though it was producing a spark.
My tentative next steps were going to be to put in new spark plugs and maybe put in some carb cleaner or something?
Any help or tips would be appreciated. I don't have a garage, have limited tools, and it is cold outside but I will try my best to follow any advice you all have. Thanks!
Long time lurker, first time poster.
1949 8N with front distributor that has been converted to 12V and not by me. I am somewhat mechanical but don't know much about carbs, distributors, points, etc.
Symptoms -- Tractor was working fine and then recently I was having issues with the tractor taking longer to start (which has led me to running down the battery a few times and needing to be charged) and randomly shutting off while in use. This is in Michigan and previous to these issues it would fire up strongly even when 0 degrees outside. I thought I was having issues with my points or distributor because it would run for 15 to 30 minutes and shut off and be impossible to start again for a few hours, but this last time it has been 2 days and I *still* cannot get it to start. A few days ago while it was running if I tried plowing too much snow the engine would spit and almost stall unless I put the clutch in and let it run for a few minutes. This usually resolved itself although once or twice the tractor shut off with a backfire.
Short version of troubleshooting:
- Gas tank is 3/4 full with new gas
- Gas knob has been tried rotated to 2 turns and all the way
- Tractor will keep turning over until battery dies without firing
- Jumped wires on ignition switch
- Checked one spark plug and it was getting spark while cranking (held close to engine block while cranking)
- Carb fast drips (almost pours) gas after trying to start while choking for too long -- check the single plug I can remove (on the side of the road) and no gas is on the plug
- Poured small amount of gas into the engine after taking out the spark plug -- with it being jumped it will fire once or twice but that is it
- Tried starting while jump starting without pouring gas into spark plug hole -- no dice
- Tried starting while being towed for ~1 mile -- would putter and almost start but when I put the clutch in to let it run on it's own it would die.
My buddy helping me tow figures that it isn't getting gas -- the one spark plug I could get out is not soaked in gas and towing it will not jump start it even though it was producing a spark.
My tentative next steps were going to be to put in new spark plugs and maybe put in some carb cleaner or something?
Any help or tips would be appreciated. I don't have a garage, have limited tools, and it is cold outside but I will try my best to follow any advice you all have. Thanks!