New here w/ Ford 861

[jeff pk]

Good deal Soundguy! Started up after I moved the distributor CC 1/4 turn. I had it set up to where I thought the points were just opening on #1 TDC, but it wouldn't quite start until I turned it. I don't have a good timing light that works well on 6v, and when I was spinning the motor by hand all I saw was a punch mark on the flywheel that seemed to match up with TDC on #1. No scale like the book shows. So I'm a bit lost as far as proper timing---if you know any tricks there...

But the good news is that the new oil gauge reads a steady 40-50 PSI, and absolutely no leaks on the pan or plug. So I'm making progess. I can't thank you enough for the help.

 

[Soundguy]

6v? timeing light? why use 6v.. hook it to a 12v bat... it's just a blinking flashlight with an impulse pickup...


besides.. you can virtually time these babies by ear and playing with the throttle.. etc..

 

[jeff pk]

My ear's not that refined. Still, I'm think that's all I have to work with as I don't think the flywheel is marked. What do you listen for?

 

[Soundguy]

flywheel should be marked.. just look thru the teardrop opening.. might need to bar it over by hand to find the marks, then rub chalk over them, or my favorite.. whiteout.. etc.

hard to 'describe' timing by ear.. but you can use clues like starter drag.. if too advanced.. starter will drag.. etc..

 

[jeff pk]

Not sure what starter drag is. I'll try the stobe again when it's dark---too much sun now. Two other observations: got a new gas cap because the old one was worn out, and the new one is letting a lot of pressure build in the tank. When I remove it---big pressure relief. Is this normal, and could too much pressure cause it to surge. That's the other obsevation---it won't run steady. There's a surge at higher RPM's that is observable at the governor lever.

 

[Soundguy]

it's probably vacume, rather than pressure.. though could be pressure if you don't have heat shields in place and are getting some boil.


hunting is generally 1 of 2 thigs.. 1, fuel obstruction / starvation... if tuggin ghte choke helps the hunt.. then it's starving.. a vacume in the tank will do this.. loosen the cap..e tc.. otherwise.. it's a misadjusted gov spring / linkage.. or worn gov.

for the gas cap.. drill a hole thru it, then install a pop rivit in the hole.. make it wher ethe pop rivit is loose and can jiggle.. but not fall out.. that will let air go in and out.. but keep a 'sploosh' of gas in when sloshing..

do make sur ethe heat shields are in place

 

[jeff pk]

I don't believe I have a heat shield on it. Nothing but tank above the muffler...And just the front and back tank supports...

Put the old cap on and it seems steadier, so hopefully that was it. Need to find a heat shield or shields?

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. there is a flat panel that goes above the muffler.. ther eis also a side flap that should be ont he fuel tank support..

 

[Soundguy]

ps.. you can make that above muffler shield from roof tin, if needbe.. I have....

look these pics over.

I made 1 of the shields.

notic e the panel atop the muffler, and behind the elbow.. can make out baffles byt hte elbow if you look hard.

one of I made.. the other 2 are originals..

 

[jeff pk]

That's funny, I was just out looking over some roofing tin...

Maybe boiling fuel was the cause of the surging/sputtering I had after 90 minutes of mowing last week??? That would be fortuitous---simple fix...