Oliver 550 runs rough

super99 · May 5, 2019

Last December I had the head done and put it back on, carb has been rebuilt, new plugs, points & condenser. Compression checked good, ran it a while and set the valves, it started and ran great. Smooth acceleration, no stumbling, I was pleased with how it turned out. It sat in the shed the rest of the winter. Wife and I mowed yesterday and she wanted me to move some stuff so she could mow underneath it. I got the 550 out and used it, it ran terrible. It started good but when I pulled the throttle down, it started missing and sputtering. The choke didn't seem to help any. It would run smooth 1/4 to 1/2 throttle and then sputter when I opened it up. A couple times it came out of it and ran like it should and the rest of the time I had to slow it down for it to come out of it. I tried opening the main jet some but that didn't seem to help any. Where do I go from here? Thanks, Chris

JOCCO · May 5, 2019

Would look at fuel issue. Check the plugs and distributor. I am assuming it has sat for awhile.

rrlund · May 5, 2019

I know the points are new,but are they opening far enough today?

JD Seller · May 5, 2019

Well I will get flamed but I would start with fresh fuel. If you are using ethanol blended fuel it will pick up moisture setting over the winter. Also if the ethanol evaporates out what is left will barely burn.

I get this issue with seldom ran gas motors of all sizes. I think it is the blend that makes the difference as some poster say they do not have any trouble.

Steve@Advance · May 5, 2019

Could be points, out of adjustment, worn distributor shaft, loose connection, bad or loose condenser.

Even mew points often fail, especially if the distributor is worn and the gap won't stay set.

J.Wondergem · May 5, 2019

Try cleaning up the points, they can corrode when they set in the Winter.

fixerupper · May 5, 2019

If it came out of it and ran fine a couple of times I suspect ignition problems. Like what was mentioned check the points. Condensers are not what they used to be, could be condenser too.

mmfan55 · May 5, 2019

Not likely but have seen this: value stems get rust or residue on them and tend to not open and close properly. Don't happen often but does happen. Just something else to consider if other suggestions don't work

Fordy20 · May 5, 2019

I had a 550 Oliver that would run rough and die, occasionally, usually not too long after I first started it. To get it started again I would pull the distributor cap turn the ignition on and arc the points. Then it would run great for the day. The points were new by the way.

Oliver 550 runs rough

super99

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JOCCO

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rrlund

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JD Seller

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Steve@Advance

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J.Wondergem

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fixerupper

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mmfan55

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Fordy20

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