It appears as though my gas B414 has jumped time. I will take it apart soon, to see what has happened. Does anyone know of anything I should look out for? What is the best way to get the crank pulley off? Thanks very much.

I would check your distributor out first before tearing into the front of the engine check the distributor drive gear maybe be missing a tooth or stripped

Been around engines most of my life. Sports cars, race cars, trucks, and tractors. Personally I have never seen an engine jump time. Just my thoughts, but I'm betting it's something else.

Hi Steve, IIRC on BC-144 gas engine the distributor is on top of the oil pump shaft.

JimB

We had a 1937 Pontiac which jumped the timing chain on one Easter trip in the late 1950s. The first time we managed to get over Lewis Pass helping by pushing. When we then stopped at the first service station it then jumped a second time after which it refused to start. They welded a bracket in the timing chain cover to keep the chain tight as no repair parts were available without a long waiting time, which was not practical as we were running out of holiday

Bring No1 piston to tdc on the compression stroke
if you have a gas engine. Then remove the distributor cap and then see where your rotor is pointing. It should be at the No1 plug tower.
Hal

If it truly "jumped time" then you have some major major problems.

What makes you think it "jumped time?" It really isn't helpful to just declare what you've convinced yourself the problem is. Describe the symptoms and people here can help figure out what exactly is wrong. It may or may not be what you think. You may not have to tear the tractor apart.

My 8N jumped time due to the fiber camshaft gear breaking loose on its hub. I can"t imagine a steel gear jumping without something being broken, though.

The old chev six bangers would jump time with gear driven cams. They were not a free running engine either so more damage. Any IH tractor engine can and will work the cam gear key off and spin gear on shaft or just plain break the gear. Lots of dist shafts lock up and break pins and or drive gears. Easy to find out by observing ign timing and valve timing.

Guys, Here is the whole story. I had used the tractor that morning, and stopped for lunch. After lunch, I tried to start the tractor, everything seemed normal as it was cranking, then it kicked back, I heard a "clunk" and when it was cranking after that, it sounded like all the spark plugs were out. In other words, no compression. It did start, but was backfiring through the carb, and barely running. After a few seconds, it stopped backfiring and seemed to run slightly better. I drove it around, but it did not have any power. The next week, I got it started, and tried advancing and retarding the distributor to see what would happen. It did not seem to make much difference either way.
I checked the distributor drive and the pin looks good, and nothing looks out of order. With the #1 piston @ TDC, the rotor points about 45 degrees retarded, or past the #1 terminal by 45 degrees. I have heard of problems with this engine's cam thrust plate coming loose and letting the cam walk in and out, which might make it easier to jump time. To get the timing cover off, I will have to remove the hood, radiator and front axle, but it is only held on with 4 bolts.