Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
:

400 won't fire

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Corny

08-13-2005 11:39:38




Report to Moderator

I'm a rookie at this. Took the 400 I grew up on and wanted to fix her up. She ran pretty rough. She was set up for positive ground, 12v with a generator. I ordered the electronic ignition conversion kit along with a new coil. Had to order parts for a negative ground system cause others weren't available. So I reversed the battery, repolarized the generator, installed the electronic conversion parts along with new plugs. I was very carefull with marking things all the way since I removed the distributor to be sure all went back in lined up as came out. Started it up. Ran a bit eratic for about 10 seconds, blew out a couple exhaust flames and quit. Since then won't even fire but rolls over fine. Weird that when I roll it over (with a battery charger still - old battery) the amp gauge needle swings to charge vs discharge. Any thoughts or did I manage to mess up the ignition conversion? Thanks

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
corny

08-13-2005 15:56:24




Report to Moderator
 Re: 400 won't fire in reply to Corny, 08-13-2005 11:39:38  
Did as you guys suggested and I believe the did the usual dumb thing of moving the distributor shaft after I had it out. Thought I marked it but obviously not. When I bring the TDC timing mark up to the point the rotor is NOT pointing to #1 plug cable. So I assume I have the pleasure of taking it out and playing with lining it up. Thanks for the help.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
El Toro

08-13-2005 19:51:10




Report to Moderator
 Re: 400 won't fire in reply to corny, 08-13-2005 15:56:24  
You may not be that far off. If you're at TDC on the compression stroke, gently pull the distributor out and move the rotor so it points
to the No1 plug wire and reinstall. Make sure your rotor is at No1 after installing the distr. Should start then. Hal



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Corny

08-14-2005 12:01:43




Report to Moderator
 Re: 400 won't fire in reply to El Toro, 08-13-2005 19:51:10  
Did as you suggested but still won't fire. I'll get another electronic unit as I assume I fried the first one since my Distributor was off by quite a bit. Tried the old coil in place and still no luck so must be the electronic. By the way, working by myself I found a neat way to know which revolution is TDC. I put a wine cork lightly in the #1 plug hole. When the mark on the crankshaft hit TDC and the rotor pointed to #1 my cork blow off. So that told me whether I was 180 degrees off. Was fun.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
El Toro

08-14-2005 12:13:48




Report to Moderator
 Re: 400 won't fire in reply to Corny, 08-14-2005 12:01:43  
That's a good idea when working by yourself using the cork. You should keep that engine at TDC until you get the new unit. Hal



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
El Toro

08-13-2005 13:45:52




Report to Moderator
 Re: 400 won't fire in reply to Corny, 08-13-2005 11:39:38  
You need to remove No1 plug and bring the piston
up to TDC on the compression stroke. Someone needs to hold their thumb over the plug until you feel compression. Slowly rotate the engine until
your timing marks are aligned. Then look at the rotor and see if it points to No1 plug wire in the distr. If not off, your electronic ignition may be at fault. Hal



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Corny

08-13-2005 13:08:15




Report to Moderator
 Re: 400 won't fire in reply to Corny, 08-13-2005 11:39:38  
Would it make any difference how I installed the electronic ignition unit? Seeing there's a 180 degree difference in the 2 ways it could fit in the distributor. Or with 4 firing positions it doesn't matter? Thanks



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
old

08-13-2005 12:44:56




Report to Moderator
 Re: 400 won't fire in reply to Corny, 08-13-2005 11:39:38  
If you didn't switch the wires on the amp gauge when you change the way the battery is in that why it reads wrong.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
makin'hay

08-13-2005 11:59:00




Report to Moderator
 Re: 400 won't fire in reply to Corny, 08-13-2005 11:39:38  
1st thing i would check is top dead center, if you have spark. make sure it is firing correctly. then go from there. good chance you have wires in wrong order.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy