Problem Starting 8N

CMorris · May 8, 2009

1952 8N S/M Dist. Still having problems getting the old girl to run. I have now confirmed that the electrical system is in good working condition and have recently re-set the timing. Now my problem is getting the fuel to fire and and turn the engine over. I have gone to the extreme of putting starting fluid in the cylinders, installing new plugs and wires, distr cap, rotor etc.... When I depress the starter the engine cranks evenly, although when I pull the choke the engine has a hard time turning over. Almost like the battery is dying. It also sounds like the starter motor is not functioning properly and causes the positive terminal on the battery to heat up. Once the starter fluid and fuel is out of the cylinder the engine will crank normally again but not start. Please help. I tried to jump start in 2nd gear but the wheels just locked and tore up my yard.

bo · May 8, 2009

You need 5 elements to fire a gas engine, timing, fuel, compression, air and spark. If you have all 5, it must fire. You're missing one element....check your compression, pull all the plugs out, open the throttle, get the screw in guage in their and see what the comprssion is on each cylinder. If compression is low, it just flat won't fire. You load up the cylinders with fuel, get a hydro lock and your starter turns over slow.
Do a dry test and then a wet test. Wet test, put a table spoon of motor oil in the cylinder to be tested, spin it over a few times and if the compression comes up, it's rings and if still is low, it's valves.

Anonymous-0 · May 8, 2009

When I had an 8N more than 25 years ago, its starter didn't crank good.

I had it rebuilt with new brushes and solenoid and most importantly to me, new bearings, and then with sturdy battery cables (those off the wally world kiosk are not heavy enough for 6 volts) it cranked fine, hot or cold.

A battery connection that is heating may not be as clean as it needs to be. 6v systems are particular about having good connections and need regular maintenance cleaning battery and battery cable connections.

Gerald J.

Jerry/MT · May 8, 2009

Are you sure that you set the timing on the compression stroke? Yu knowthat a 4 stroke fires once every two revolutions. Do you have the correct timing order? Do you have a FAT BLUISH-WHITE SPARK?

Allan in NE · May 9, 2009

First order of business is a compression test. It won't run without wind.

Allan

Mark - IN. · May 9, 2009

Assuming that it had been running, I'm with you. Starter terminal heating up? If its working hard to turn an engine working against it, could be timing. The choke symptom too. I'm not leaning towards rings or compression on this, low compression won't stop it from turning over easier. Tearing up the ground pull starting it sounds like has compression to me. Pull the plugs and see how easy it turns with no compression. It should fly. If it don't then, think in terms of electrical and spark. But if it turns easy with no plugs, I'm thinking in terms of timing as well. Wanting to detonate in the wrong spot sure works against everything else.

Mark

Mike (WA) · May 9, 2009

I think the others have hit the possible problems pretty well, but if you are going to try to pull start it, use 4th, not 2nd- and get to some pavement to do it. Also, put the experienced guy on the N, not the pulling tractor- need to be pretty quick on the clutch when it fires.

Problem Starting 8N

CMorris

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bo

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Anonymous-0

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Jerry/MT

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Allan in NE

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Mark - IN.

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Mike (WA)

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