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NCMau 08-07-2012 17:25:11 174.110.228.151 Report to Moderator	Since my original posting is getting too long and it is being push down the list, I am going to start a fresh one, still referencing to the original. I still haven't determined if the problem is fuel or related to the timing. To restate the tractor runs like crap. I have done everything suggested in the thread and plus with exception of removal the heat shield for a complete inspection of the manifold. (The removal of the shield requires drainage of the cooling system, so I am saving this for last). I did spray carb cleaner around the gasket but it didn't change anything. Maybe there is a crack that is not visible. One question I have is, if you crank the engine for few seconds with the coil disconnected, should you some trace of fuel in the plugs when you remove them? Well it's not there. Also it's very hard to start. As I stated in the original thread I checked and rechecked the carb, float needle/level, jets, adjustments etc. There is plenty fuel in the bowl but I am not sure it is delivered to the plugs. Another question: I have healthy 1/4" blue spark. The distributor stays solid when running. What if the advance was defective, would I get these symptoms? The distributor is less than a year old. [Reply]   [No Email]
mike paulson 08-10-2012 13:19:18 98.15.187.200 Report to Moderator	Re: I Really Need a Guru REVISITED in reply to Dieseltech, 08-07-2012 17:25:11   over the years manifolds warp and twist, you could put a straight endge like a metal ruler along it after cleaning off all old gasket material and check it, and also check real carefully for any cracks. from your pic it looks like the mani isnt to bad and might have been replaced before. [Reply]  [No Email]
Chip812 08-09-2012 07:34:27 216.226.180.3 Report to Moderator	Re: I Really Need a Guru REVISITED in reply to NCMau, 08-07-2012 17:25:11   I may be 'all wet', but I still think it sounds like a fuel delivery issue... like a clogged filter or something... butterflys in the carb opening/closing/moving correctly? [Reply]  [No Email]
Tony in Mass. 08-08-2012 19:45:21 76.118.216.103 Report to Moderator	Re: I Really Need a Guru REVISITED in reply to NCMau, 08-07-2012 17:25:11   Here's an old indian trick. My Cockshutt with a flathead Cont 164 just would not start. I ran out of ideas. A forklift fixing freind of mine, running out of ideas too, held a plug wire up from the plug, still in the dist end, had me crank the engine... about 7 or 8 inches from the plug it made a lightening bolt spark, he jumped, the tractor started runnning on 3, he carefully put the wire back on the plug, all sounded good. Shut off, restarted on a quarter turn. Been running fine ever since.... he learned that from an old timer who said he thought sometimes coils lose their zap, and this charges it again. Funny thing is, that was a new coil. I don't care, it worked, and I will remember it. [Reply]  [No Email]
mike paulson 08-08-2012 18:54:46 98.15.187.200 Report to Moderator	Re: I Really Need a Guru REVISITED in reply to mowr, 08-07-2012 17:25:11   yea it sounds like you have a vacuum leak around your mani, by artificially inriching with the carb spray by spraying direct into the carb or mani and picking up rpms it shows us that. might be cracked or maybe just a blown gasket. let us know... [Reply]  [No Email]
M. Ferrari 08-09-2012 08:38:37 174.110.228.151 Report to Moderator	Re: I Really Need a Guru REVISITED in reply to mike paulson, 08-08-2012 18:54:46   I removed the manifold and there are no visual cracks or holes. The only thing I can see is minor roughness by the intake flange. The gasket doesn't look too bad, but I don't know it could have a leak. Of course I did tightened it during the process of troubleshooting. Now, I could order and install a new gasket, but I am leaning toward installing a new manifold ($141.00, free shipping on ebay). The existing manifold is somewhat pitted on the exhaust side, I guess all they get this way with age, so it doesn't hurt to put a new in it. I don't want to get through the installation and possibly remove it again. To answer Chip812, believe me the filters are clean, but I haven't totally discarded the possibility of fuel delivery from the carburetor. I am going to follow the suggestion of mike paulson about checking the float for possible leakage [Reply]  [No Email]
M. Ferrari 08-09-2012 08:46:20 174.110.228.151 Report to Moderator	Re: I Really Need a Guru REVISITED in reply to M. Ferrari, 08-09-2012 08:38:37   This what the manifold looks like [Reply]  [No Email]
NCMau 08-08-2012 07:34:57 174.110.228.151 Report to Moderator	Re: I Really Need a Guru REVISITED in reply to NCMau, 08-07-2012 17:25:11   Thank you you guys for your for staying tuned-in and let me try to answer with one reply. 2tractors: the jets are seated where they should be. If I partially pull the choke, the rpm perks up. I replaced the condenser and the coil with a working spare I had (back and forth couple times at least). As I pointed out, I do get a consistent hot spark. When I find the problem on this beast, I will definitely publish it. davediehl: I cranked it for several seconds but I didn't pull the choke. I tried 6 seconds+ with the choke pulled and again no trace of fuel. mike paulson: I did spray right into the carb and the rpm perks up. Also I did try the carb adjustment lean and rich, no change. I left the air mixture with 2 or 3 turns. I did spray the manifold gasket all the way around and there is an rpm increase when I spray the lower left hand side of the manifold. So I will remove the manifold this morning. Also I will do the float test, good idea. I checked the air cleaner in the beginning of my troubleshooting and right now it is not even connected. With this manifold test, maybe, just maybe I am beginning to see a small light at the end of the tunnel. [Reply]  [No Email]
2tractors 08-08-2012 05:05:56 207.144.5.133 Report to Moderator	Re: I Really Need a Guru REVISITED in reply to NCMau, 08-07-2012 17:25:11   I've been following your post and sincerely hope you'll let us know what the heck it is that fixes it.I had a to20 that had gaulded threads on the main jet. The bad threads would not allow it to be screwed all the way in so my jet setting was starting at about 3 turns out which made it run extremely rich resulting in lots of smoke and black smutty plugs but not wet. I'd be interested to know if you pull a partial choke if it runs better or worse. I really think it's either a bad new condensor or the new coil. [Reply]  [No Email]
davediehl@hotmail.com 08-07-2012 22:56:17 173.30.211.28 Report to Moderator	Re: I Really Need a Guru REVISITED in reply to NCMau, 08-07-2012 17:25:11   If you close the choke, and crank it for several seconds, you might see fuel on a spark plug. Remember that the fuel is a vapor when it enters the cylinder. So it does take more than a second of cranking over to wet a plug. Take some WD40 and spray a very small amount in each cylinder with the plugs out. I never use starting fluid because it is very volitile. It makes a heck of an explosion inside your engine and can damage components. WD40 isn"t as powerful but does get the same effect with a bit of lubrication. [Reply]  [No Email]
mike paulson 08-08-2012 01:30:15 98.15.187.200 Report to Moderator	Re: I Really Need a Guru REVISITED in reply to davediehl@hotmail.com, 08-07-2012 22:56:17   you say your fuel delivery is good but yet we seem to have dry plugs. see if you can make it run with feeding carb spray right into the carb. this will let you know if you have a lean condition and if indeed you fuel delivery is not the problem. spraying carb spray around the manifold will show you if you have a vacuum leak, which is a good thing to check also. and you shouldnt have to remove the sheild to do this, just spray up and around it and listen for rpm changes at idle. if she perks up when you spray around your intake mani then you will have to pull the mani and look for cracks or install new gaskets or new mani. if it perks up when you add carb spray right into the mouth of the carb then your fuel isnt making it to the carb(fuel line) or needle valve or seat or float etc or you carb may just be ready to retire. you need 3 things to make it run right, fuel, spark, and air. eliminate fuel and then you only have 2 other things that could be the cause. silly question but when was the last time you checked your air cleaner, also remove you float from the float bowl and put it into a container of gas and make sure it floats and also shake it to make sure there is no gas in it. [Reply]  [No Email]
2tractors 08-08-2012 18:47:12 207.144.5.133 Report to Moderator	Re: I Really Need a Guru REVISITED in reply to mike paulson, 08-08-2012 01:30:15   After determining which side of the coil supplies the positive try a jumper from + on battery to + on coil with it running.Since all the other circuit is for switching on and supplying power to starter this "may" improve the rough running IF it's electrical.But if the primary circuit which is still connected is drawing a short to ground then without pulling the primary from coil the new source(jumper) will also draw a short. [Reply]  [No Email]