idle speed on H

c1802362 · Sep 3, 2011

A neighbor told me a few weeks ago that my '41 H was idling fast so today I decided to check things out. I took my handy dwell/RPM meter and hooked it up to the coil posts.

I got no reading.

However, if I hooked up one lead to the distributor, the meter read approximately 1100 rpm. To my mind this is a bit wierd, but .... Following the serviceman's instruction's book, I started changing the idle adjustment and stop screws.

Moving the idle stop screw did nothing. Turning the idle speed adjustment screw fully clockwise (screwed in completely) reduced the meter reading to about 850 rpm, but the engine seemed to run a bit rougher and lacked a bit of power.

I went back to my dwell/RPM meter and realized it works only with 12V systems - my '41 H is a 6V tractor.

So, I've probably messed things up.

My question: Do I need to get a dwell/RPM meter that works for 6V or is there another/better way to set the idle speed correctly? Any other suggestions?

Art

David G · Sep 3, 2011

I also think you need to set the number of cylinders.

c1802362 · Sep 3, 2011

My 8 cylinder scale says double for 4 cylinders

I need to re-read the instructions - I may need to put one lead on the '+' side of the coil and the other to ground, not both on the coil/distributor

CNKS · Sep 3, 2011

You don't need a meter, just set the speed as low as you can get it without the engine wanting to die. You will have to adjust both speed and mixture to get it idling correctly.

David G · Sep 3, 2011

I haven't used one in 30 years, just don't remember the connections.

mike1972chev · Sep 3, 2011

Yea,something has got to be wrong. If it reads 1100 rpm,you would know it,cause it would almost be full throttle on these engines.( You would hear that!)

On your dwell/tach meter,I bet it WAS set at 8 cylinder. I bet the 1100 was actually 550 rpm.Anything less would almost be killing the engine.

Janicholson · Sep 3, 2011

One on the distributor lead at the coil or distributor, the other ground. The Voltage makes no difference, unless yours is different than most. Set to 4 cyl, or 1/2 8 cyl reading.
The low idle speed should be in the area of 500 to 600 RPM. they do not have much power at idle.
They should run well though. As indicated below, tweak the two screws to get it right. Make sure the timing is correct, or it will not idle well.
The timing advance must also work! Unless it has a mag, then the idle can be a bit lumpy, and the timing be correct. They have no centrifugal advance and once started are at full advance. Jim

Brownie 450 · Sep 4, 2011

If the idle is indeed 900- 1100 & won't idle down, check that the throttle plate is closing completely/ is installed right side up on the throttle shaft.
Our SMTA idled high after the mechanic at the dealership in town re-built the carb many years ago. Dad never wanted to do anything about the high idle thing, so I took it apart & found that the mechanic had installed the throttle plate upside down---wouldn't close off the bore of the carb completely.
If yours has had the carb worked on, might be worth a look.

idle speed on H

c1802362

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David G

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c1802362

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CNKS

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David G

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mike1972chev

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Janicholson

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Brownie 450

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