Farmall 450 issues

Working on a Farmall 450 gas. Hasn"t run much in the last couple years. Last time it ran (about 9 or 10 months ago) it ran well when it was at about half choke. I figured out that fuel wasn"t flowing out of the sediment bowl fast enough. I would loosen the sediment bowl up till it started to leak and it would run good, tighten the bowl up to where it wouldn"t leak and it would start starving for fuel. Went to start it last weekend and couldn"t get it to start off the starter, had to pull it for quite a ways to get it to fire. Once I did get it running it was loping bad, almost sounded like a old 2 cylinder JD (can"t have that) and was puffing black smoke. It would smooth out some at full throttle but not totally. I tried adjusting on the carburetor screws but got no response out of any of them. It ran that way for quite a while then it acted like it was loading up. Got no throttle response past half throttle. It then died and I couldn"t get it to fire again. I"m sure the tractor needs plugs and wires, maybe points and condenser, and probably a carb kit. Is there something simple that is specific to this tractor that I am missing?

Nothing specific to the tractor. Sounds like you have little flow out of the tank and the carb needs to be cleaned, do that first. The outlet of the tank is probably partially plugged and there is crud in the tank. AND get an Operators manual. If you read that you will discover that the main jet screw needs to be 5 turns out for max power, less for light loads -- and unless it is under load turning it one way or the other does not do much. But if it does not die when turned all the way in the jet is dirty and needs to be cleaned like the rest of the carb. Disassemble and soak the carb in a gallon of real carb cleaner, not the spray on stuff. Plugs, points, wires, timing, etc may also have some part, but I think the main problem is fuel.

You are describing classic fuel flooding issues. Needs a carb overhaual. You have spark so forget the ignition cicuit.

Thanks for the replies. I did pull the tank and clean it out. I don't have a book handy, is there a website where I can get the screw settings for the carburetor?

If you are close to Boone Iowa I have a book you can borrow.
Nate

Set the main jet at 4 turns out to begin with. I doubt if it will do much with 3 out. The rpm (throttle stop) screw on the carb should be set so that it idles without stumbling, maybe 600 rpm or so. With the idle mixture screw, 1 turn off the seat. With the engine running you just turn the idle screw in or out until smooth. It is the reverse of the main jet, in richens, out leans. If you get a good kit from CaseIH-$$-it will probably have an instruction sheet. Just get the carb CLEAN.

I have to agree - it does sound like its flooding but I wouldn't be so quit to overhaul the carb - just yet.

I'd start with adjusting the main load adjusting screw by turning it in 1/4 turn at a time with the engine running to see if you can even out at idle. If it goes from running rich to starving for fuel with a 1/4 turn you might be needing to do some carb work.


In the past when you were not getting a good fuel flow someone may have turn it out to far (sometimes way to far) trying to solve the fuel starve situation without cleaning the sediment bowl. Now that you have a good fuel flow your carb might be set too rich. I had the exact same problem on a 350 I bought.