Gravely l8

[Bwgad96]

Hey guys so I finally got the gravely to sputter and it's gettin spark. Now I had my pops take a look and he said I have fueling issues. Honestly I'm not good at all with carbs so, where would be a good starring point? Also I'm gonna probably sell this when I repair it and play for awhile, so I'll upload a picture and what do you guys think this might be worth? Thanks

 

[RichardTX]

Time to get good with carbs.

They aren't hard to fix. It just requires some patience and a good source of compressed air and a good blow gun.

 

[Bwgad96]

Ok so today I pulled the bowl off and cleaned it. It really wasn't that dirty but just to be sure I sprayed it all with carb cleaned let it sit the blew it out with compressed air. Still no luck. It will just crank and crank forever. So I thought I had the problem with magneto fixed so now I'm only getting a little tiny yellow spark. Frustrated to say the least. I now have no idea what to ever check or where to start. Thanks

 

[RichardTX]

Tiny spark? The magneto should produce a spark at least 3/8" long.

Time to replace the condenser in the magneto. RIchard's (gravelyparts.com) has them.

 

[Bwgad96]

ok the new confenser is ordered and on the way along with new plug spark plug cable in line fuel filter air cleaned and a few other goodies haha

 

[CTPhil]

Wouldn't hurt to try just cleaning the points.

When I tried to start mine after sitting, no spark. I looked close and there was white chalky stuff on the points. A little polishing with 320 grit emery cloth and it's good to go.

 

[RichardTX]

Corroded points will indeed cause no spark at all. A weak condenser will produce a weak spark and in some cases no spark at all.

 

[Bwgad96]

ya i had already taken a fine file and made the points shiny so i figured that was the next step.

 

[Bwgad96]

ok finally got the parts in new condenser plug boot wire and boot at the top new plug and fuel filter and carb to bowl gasket. instaled everything and got big blue spark still no go gettin fuel to the bowl and spark then i rotated the timing 180 degrees and still wont start what gives?

 

[Bladehauler]

Sounds to me like you need to disassemble the carb, I dont know if it has fixed jets or needles for the main and idle. if it has needles turn them in counting the number of turns (ie 2 1/4 ) write it down ! then remove the needles and any seals ,springs, washers and spray carb cleaner through the jets. you should see spray coming into the venturie and also the float bowl area.DO NOT STICK ANY METAL OBJECT INTO THE ORFISES !! reseat the needles back to your original turns out and set the float level to even accross when holding the carb upside down.

Good luck

 

[RichardTX]

Without fuel it won't run no matter how much spark you have. Time to pull the carb apart and clean it.

 

[Bwgad96]

ok now today i figure out the prob with the carb the pin over the float was stuck now shes gettin gas and still no go hoss im confused i could smell it whill crankin it but she just wont go thinkin my mixture is way to lean just a guess

 

[Bladehauler]

You said you swapped the timing 180 and still nothing. can you turn the engine by hand with the sparkplug out, if so put your finger over the plug hole and when the engine comes up on compression you should feel pressure, bring the piston to top dead center.set your timing.pour a little fuel down the plug hole,put the plug in , hook it up and try it. hopefully she'll at least pop.most carbs have idle circuits that are .015 of an inch, doesnt take much crud to clog them up

 

[Bwgad96]

ok thats tomarrows project.. now one more question the startir sylinoid is all mashed up so is that part of the reason it wont fire?

 

[Bwgad96]

o and what is an idle circut and how do i test it hahaha sorry fir my lack of knowledge

 

[Bwgad96]

also, looking at the picture i posted, what do you think this would be worth in good running shape? thanks

 

[WH401]

also, looking at the picture i posted, what do you think this would be worth in good running shape? thanks

Maybe between $200 and $400 depending on condition. Some more pictures would be a big help, side profiles as well as under the hood and of the mower. If you decided to sell, send me a PM, I'm just one county over.

 

[Bwgad96]

here we go