Ford 8N having trouble starting -- many troubleshooting steps take -- suggestions?

[Soundguy]

do the 'pull 1 wire off at a time while running' test again...

if it's missing.. isolate what lung ain't fireing.

does tugging on choke a lil help any?

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

Thanks Soundguy. I will try the wire pull again. I call it "missing" but who knows, maybe it is a symptom of something else.

Tugging on the choke does *not* help. It makes it worse. My "mechanic" guy was trying that too -- feathering the choke while running. Definitely made it run worse.

Even though the carb switch out didn't work we confirmed that it will run, and run just as well (or bad), with the air mixture and fuel mixture needles closed all of the way. No idea how that is happening.

 

[Soundguy]

can't run with fuel needle closed.. did you try that on both carbs or just yours.

if just yours.. then the carb has problems.. though that may not be the machines only problem..

 

[Ted Summey]

After putting my .02 in early in this thread and following along the rest of the way, I'm beginning to think there is something other than a fuel or ignition problem. Carb has been rebuilt, entire ignition replaced and timing set and reset. Assuming all of that has been done correctly, would that point to something else?

Without scanning the entire thread, can some one remind me if a test/timing light has been connected to each plug wire it confirm spark at each cylinder?

And has an accurate compression test been done on each cylinder ? Stuck ring or valve issue maybe? Incorrect gap on a plug? Loose plug?

Just trying to stimulate some alternative thinking but certainly don't wont to start an unnecessary series of parts replacing.

 

[94BULLITT]

After putting my .02 in early in this thread and following along the rest of the way, I'm beginning to think there is something other than a fuel or ignition problem. Carb has been rebuilt, entire ignition replaced and timing set and reset. Assuming all of that has been done correctly, would that point to something else?

Without scanning the entire thread, can some one remind me if a test/timing light has been connected to each plug wire it confirm spark at each cylinder?

And has an accurate compression test been done on each cylinder ? Stuck ring or valve issue maybe? Incorrect gap on a plug? Loose plug?

Just trying to stimulate some alternative thinking but certainly don't wont to start an unnecessary series of parts replacing.

He only ran a compression test on 2 cylinders, he is getting another gauge. He has checked for spark at each wire mulitple times. I know he said the mechanic was adjusting on the timing while it was running so we can probably assume that it is off. I am wondering why he can adjust the main jet and it does not effect the running of it.

 

[Soundguy]

correct. screwing inthe main needle effectively leans out the main circuit to nothing.. shouldn't run.

can't use a timing light in the conventional manner on a front mount N for reasons covered many times here.

no verified compression numbers yet.

N can for certain have sticky vlaves and still run.. so it's a possibility.

the carb issue is odd. gotta have fuel to run.. no fuel no run. if that ever changes.. someone is gonna get rich.

i want to know if that main needle screwed in all the way was on the oe carb or the swapped carb. if on the oe carb.. i'm going to assume it's main needle seat is damaged letting fuel by..

as usual.. need more info

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

The main needle adjustment 'closing' was only on my carb. It still runs slightly better when actually removing the needle fully. Strange, I know.

The guy turned down his main needle but I did not think to have him do it all the way. His carb is the original OEM carb so it is slightly different. It basically ran the same, no difference.

 

[Soundguy]

i question whether your main needle is even seating ..

 

[Varmint1]

Have you verified the proper firing order and that it is wired right

 

[94BULLITT]

I would have liked to have seen more pics of the carb when it was apart. Does it start hard?