Stumped with a '48 M problem

Posted by P and R Pete on August 28, 2013 at 17:20:06 from (159.240.11.216):

Trying to help my father-in-law with his ’48 Farmall M.
Had been running fine or so he said, until yesterday when in trying to start it, it was a long time catching, and then ran rough, and only at idle, and it will stumble and try to die if the throttle is boosted. Even at idle, it would run for awhile, and then die as though the float bowl had run out of gas.
Some odd things, though. At times, when trying to start it, many drops of gas, and sometimes a stream of gas, would flow out of the drain hole at the bottom of the carb, as though it were getting flooded, and always there is gas flow when the drain tap is opened. We split the carb to check the float, and it is OK. We replaced the float pin and the piece that contains the seat, as the old pin was intermittently sticking. The new one does not stick at all. I wanted to spray the jets with carb cleaner, but the slotted-plug in-line with the main jet, though extremely stiff, would not back out when turned, as though it’s threads had been stripped, so I never took that out, and thus couldn’t blow out the jets from the bottom, (but maybe I’m wrong about the purpose of that plug). I did remove the main jet from above, and only that jet, and we sprayed all three jets with carb-cleaner and then compressed air, and all were open, though I can’t feel assured that there isn’t some piece of crud still floating around in there.
But I can’t help but wonder if the thing isn’t getting TOO much gas. There’s quite a bit of smoke coming out the pipe at start-up. And this odd symptom,- when it is running/stumbling, the three inches of intake manifold above the carb gets extremely cold, with moisture condensation running down that and onto the carb.
He may have other problems. The plugs were damp and black, and the inside of the cylinders looked damp, though I couldn’t tell if from gas or oil. Once we get it running, I’ll do a compression test. He’s only had this thing since Spring, and this is the first sign of trouble.
Anyone have any thoughts? I’m stumped.

Replies:

• Re: Stumped with a '48 M problem mkirsch 04:58:36 08/29/13 (0)
• Re: Stumped with a '48 M problem Janicholson 17:50:17 08/28/13 (0)
• Re: Stumped with a '48 M problem CNKS 17:42:56 08/28/13 (0)

Add a Reply Name: E-Mail: Subject: Comments: Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL: Optional Video Title: Optional Video URL: Advanced Posting Options Email Notification: If you check this box, email will be sent to you whenever someone replies to this message. Your email address must be entered above to receive notification. This notification will be cancelled automatically after 2 weeks.   Advanced Posting Tools   Upload Photo  Select Gallery Photo  Attach Serial # List  Return to Post

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]