1020 gas can't keep it running

Sedgehammer · Apr 2, 2020

Hoping I can get some input in this hair puller. Tractor has been having issues for a few years, but it's steadily getting worse and now has become unusable.
Relined fuel tank, put on a new coil and rebuilt the carb last year.
Replaced fuel pump, filter, gas, distributor cap, points, condenser last month and last night replaced intake/exhaust gaskets, as there was a small leak on the front intake. Checked gas line filter this morning, cleaned it, wasn't very dirty.

It now readily starts. Could hardly get it started before this. Only kinda runs with the choke out. Will run for about 8 seconds and it wants to die, so the gov starts to kick in. Once warm will lope 5 or 6 times, then almost die, then go back to loping. When cold I need to keep my hand over the inlet on the carb to get it running after it starts till it gets warm.

Help, please......

Bayfisher · Apr 2, 2020

when u rebuilt the carb did u chk to see if float had fuel in it, should be a brass float thats known to leak and sink, if leaks replace it.

if above is good and float has been properly set parallel to inverted carb flange then adjust main fuel mixture valve as needed to acquire clean running engine.

defranks · Apr 2, 2020

Do you have access to a remote tank? I have one that I use for motorcycle work, just a quart plastic bottle with a petcock on it to let fuel flow to the carb when the gas tank (of a bike) is off for maintenance. You can jury rig something if you don't have one.

What you're describing sounds like fuel starvation. Try using something like the remote tank I just mentioned, gravity feed to the carb fuel inlet pipe. If the tractor runs with that then you know there's a fuel delivery problem. A second check of that would be a brief shot of ether down the carb barrel(s). If it fires right up and runs for an instant.... fuel.

Have you disconnected the fuel line from the carb and cranked the tractor? Fuel should come out with considerable force. (Point it away from you or any hot surface.) When the carb was rebuilt was it thoroughly cleaned? The tiniest bit of dirt can do exactly what you're describing.

Keep us updated on this one, I'll be interested to know what you find.

Sedgehammer · Apr 2, 2020

Really good fuel pressure at the carb. If you crack the line while cranking it, it squirts out hard, so don't understand how it could be starving for fuel, although I agree with the symptoms.

Update, the neighbor checked his carb kit order. There was no new float. Will check that next.

AWSubie · Apr 2, 2020

I just went through a similar exercise on my Ford 2N; I had rebuilt the carburetor and the tractor ran essentially the same as you are describing. In my haste to get the tractor up and running again I skipped the step of chasing the passageways in the carburetor with a brass or aluminum wire when I was rebuilding. There must’ve been an obstruction because after I removed the carburetor for a second time and chased the all the passages, the tractor ran fine.

Roadworthy · Apr 2, 2020

Disconnect the fuel line at the tank. Does fuel flow freely and continue to flow freely? On an old vehicle you could have a blockage restricting flow out of the tank. If this works well try the same thing by disconnecting the line at the carburetor. If you have consistent free flow at this point your carb can get fuel. Be sure the float in the carburetor moves freely and is indeed taking the needle off its seat. If all this is good get a can of Sea Foam and a small external tank. Mix the Sea Foam about 50/50 with gasoline and try running the engine off this mixture. If it runs a few minutes and dies go do something else. Try it again the next day. This gives the Sea Foam time to clean passages in the carburetor. I've had really good luck with Sea Foam and old carburetors. I'll do that when all else fails.

Sedgehammer · Apr 2, 2020

It has a mechanical fuel pump, don't think it'll free flow. I can pump fuel out of the fuel line at carb like nobody's business when cranking. Have sea foam. Well remove carb, check float and all passageways next.

Sedgehammer · Apr 2, 2020

Tore carburetor apart today. Was some rusty fuel in bowl, so I'm assuming it was waterish. I also noticed that there was a small line that went from the intake butterfly to the choke butterfly wasn't hooked up when i got the carb off. I'm not sure if it was hooked up before or not (neighbors tractor). He rebuilt the carb this winter. all passageways were clean. Float doesn't leak. Will put it back together tomorrow.

jaxs · Apr 2, 2020

Before reassembling carburetor,make sure the passage from line inlet to needle and seat is clear. There might be an old filter or pieces of filter in the passage. If it act's the same when you get it back togeather,spray starting fluid or carb cleaner into air intake. If that doesn't keep it running,fuel isn't the problem.