Starting Problems- Farmall C123 Eng.

When I originally got it, it was running, but just barely. I got it home, and started cleaning out Hornet's nests from the air cleaner, the exhaust, and cleaning out 2 years worth of dirt leaves, etc.

I pulled off the Zenith-Bendix updraft carb, and after opening it up, decided to take it to the rebuilder. I checked the walves to make sure that they were opening and closing all the way. I pulled the distributer and cleaned out the hardened grease out of the centifical advance weights, re-gapped the points, and re-installed it making sure that I was coming up on #1in the firing order.

When I got the carb back, I re-installed it, charged up the battery, drained and put in new oil in the crankcase. I drained and put new gas in the tank, getting ready for the big moment.

When I tried to start it, the following happened. It turns over pops a couple times, then backfires through the carburetor. I have tried adjusting the timing by turning the distributor. It doesn't help. I have pulled the #1 plug, brought it TDC, and checked the rotor to make sure the distributor is lining up ok, and it seems to be right on as the timing mark lines up on the pulley.

Now I haven't pulled the head, because the fellow I bought it from said he had the engine gone through before he parked it, and the valves and springs from the top side look clean as if they were done before he parked it. (No build up or discoloration, all clean and shiny) I also checked each spark plug with an in-line tester, aand I am getting spark to each plug.

If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, I could sure use them, because I am stumped. Is there something I have missed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Yes I finally did get it running. Now I'm in the process of putting it back together again after tearing the front end off. Turns out I had a couple of problems. I was 180 out on the dist. ( I could swear I checked it 2-3 times... Must be getting senile in my old age)

The other problem turned out to be a messed up govenor. I finished rebuilding it today. Hopefully this weekend, I'll be up and rnning again. Thanks for the help.

Jerry

Remove your distributor cap and see if the
rotor points to No1 plug. If it does your distributor is in time. Check plug wires to the other cylinders. If rotor turns CW the next wire is to No3, then 4 and 2.

If the rotor isn't on No1, pull distributor and rotate rotor to the No1 position.
Do not move the engine while your're making this change. Good Luck, Hal