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Farmall C running on 2 cyl. only

E

Eric Beyer

New User
Hi all,
I am restoring a Farmall C, converted it to 12V -ground, and it only runs on cyl 1 and 2. if I pull off the spark plug caps from 3 and 4, and come near to the spark plug about 1/2" the spark flies to the sparkplug, and it seems to run better. I tried everything with the timing, but I cannot achieve a good result. Can anyone help me please? The tractor was imported to Holland in 1965, and luckily its an original USA, not French licenced.
 
a couple of things: do you have the firing order right? 1, 3, 4, 2 , clockwise rotation, starting at the 1 oclock position. also, make sure you have good compression in 3 and 4, with no sticky or hanging valves. Lastly, is the intake manifold tight and not leaking?

Start with those things and we can move on to others......

PS did this ever run right since you aquired it?
 
Why did you go to 12v. You need to remove all spark plugs and take a compression test. Then set the tappets and take another reading. Now if you have readings somewhat close to each other make sure your wires are in order on the cap and going to the rite plug. If you still dont have fire on all plugs must be bad wires or even bad plugs. What voltage does it have on the coil when engine is running is the resistor doing its job. You said restoring so you put it back to original and that is not converting to 12v.
 
went to 12V because of broken generator. Waiting to get my spark plug socket delivered, because it's sparkplugs are not metric (I am in the Netherlands)Coil is OK, I get sparks from the leads to the spark plugs, and as I do it, it will fire on that cylinder, and starts to run at 3 cyl, if I connect it again to the sparkplug, It stops firing... Could it be the outside of the sparkplugs are dirty and therefore the spark goes via the outside ofthe plug to the ground?
 
I come from the Netherlands, my home language is Dutch, so I meant saying converting instead of restoring My Google translator came up with restore/renovate
 
Firing order is OK, compression I can check when I have the Spark Plug Box Spanner delivered from England. Gonna check the Intake manifold. It has not run for at least 2 yrs. Drained the oil, and put new in, Changed the filters, and cleaned the valve cover because it was rusty on the inside. Many thanks.
 
If I am understanding what you are doing correctly, by holding the wire just off of the plug you are forcing the voltage higher from the coil, and possibly firing the plug due to that fact. Reconnecting the wire brings the voltage back down and then wont fire the plug. Could be just bad plugs...
 
That sounds very reasonable, since it didn't run for 2 yrs. Humidity in the cylinder could be the cause of it oxidising a bit (my thought) I have to wait a bit for my Spark Plug Box Spanner to be delivered from England (Here all is metric and impossible to order a 1" - 7/8" box spanner)Thanks a lot! will check back after installing new spark plugs.
 
Set your valve clearance at .017" =.432mm cold.
Look for a bent push rods. Do the compression check as been mentioned and compare the readings.
Your English is very good. Hal
PS: Make sure your plug wires are in this firing order on the distributor cap as the rotor rotates clockwise.

2-1
4-3
 
If those two are sparking well with the caps pulled back I would suspect the spark plugs are not hot enough. I use Autolite 386. I found the champions not very reliable.
 
Sounds like bad spark plugs in 3 and 4 and one way to check that is take 1 plug out and install it in 4 and 4 then to 1 and see if the problem follows the spark plug. If ti does then you know they are bad if ot does not then you have low compression or a valve sticking
 
Eric,

Remove plugs and check gap. Then use a torch to heat the plug electrodes slowly until center conductor is red hot and any moisture and residue is burned out of the plug. Use pliers to start the plugs back in the cylinder while they are still warm. Tighten them, replace the wires and see if all cylinders will fire. This is a poor man's way of getting the tractor to run on all four until new plugs are purchased.
 
I hope you have ordered a deep reach socket to remove the plugs. You are referring to a box spanner---box end wrench? I don't think you can remove the plugs with a box end.
 
Eric, if your wrench doesn't work, send me an email. I will be happy to send you a socket that will work. flemingt"at"consolidated"dot"net
 
Looks like it will do the job. How about spark plugs--can you get them?
Like Tom's offer, we can send you some if need be.
I'm like the other guys--you have dirty spark plugs.
 
Thanks a lot all, got the sparkplug socket today. Took out all sparkplugs cleaned them, put them back in, started... purrs like a kitten...thanks all
 
Good news!

Amazing how people keep forgetting you're in the Netherlands and it's not like you can run down to the local Tractor Supply store and pick up the parts you need...
 
Gee you could have left it run on 2 cylinders and painted it green....... :twisted:

Glad you got it running good.

Rick
 
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