D-14 Starting

I've had my D-14 since 2001. Last year, I had problems with loss of power and sputtering. I finally determined that to be caused by fuel flow from the tank to the fuel bowl. I think my fuel flow is good now as it works great with full power and never misses even once. But starting has now become an issue whereas the first 12 years were near perfect for starting. I've replaced the points, condenser, rotor, distributor cap, and spark plugs. I've followed the manual doing timing and then made slight adjustments for more or less advance - none of which made a difference. I think I've cleaned the carb a half dozen times. Compression is between 130 and 140 on all cylinders. It won't fire off unless I place my hand over the carb throat for a perfect seal. Sometimes, I even need to jump with a 12V battery. Sometimes gas runs out the carb when I'm trying to start it but the plugs are always dry. Starting fluid helps once in a while but most of the time makes no difference. I've always ran it on a 6 volt battery but am considering switching to 12 volt as that seems to work almost all of the time. The six volt battery is in good condition and is connected with two one gauge cables between all connections making my cabling equivalent to 00 gauge. It spins like a 12 volt with my setup.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!
 
I had a 1957 D14 many years ago. I changed it over to 12 volt right after I got it

Always turned over fast with t h e 6 volt starter and fired right up.
I never had to grind on the starter, as that would get a 6 volt starter hot feeding it 12 volt power.

If the 12 volt will not start it, you still have something else wrong.
 
I agree the frustration level with getting some of the older gas tractors to run(right) can be high at times. I would invest a few bucks in an inline spark tester. I use mine more than I ever thought I would when I bought it. It saves a lot of time trying to determine if a "no start" is spark or fuel related. Place it between a plug wire end and the plug itself. This will tell you if you actually have spark through the wire, and not just at the points or from the coil. Also, you didn't mention replacing the coil itself? I find that many hard starting issues come from a weak spark. It may be strong enough to show up from the coil wire to ground, but by the time it makes it through the cap, rotor and plug wires it can be less than effective.
Remember, when these tractors were built, we actually had gasoline. This stuff we get now is half corn syrup and additives, with very little punch. You can pour some on the ground and barely get it to burn with a match. It takes a GOOD spark to set it off in the cylinder.
 
check for a leak at the manifold.
Spray around the manifold with ether or carb cleaner while you are trying to start it.
Also, spark should be blue, not yellow
Bob
 
Way OT, and no help for your problem, but are you the same "Texas Denny" that was around in '06? A 10 year hiatus? The only reason I remember, is because you were the first one to respond to an Allis Chalmers question I had when I joined YT in 2006. Hope all is well.
 
Hi again! I had some health issues which affected my perspective on everything. I've still got the issue but I am doing a bit at the ranch - mowing with shredder mostly. Simply cut way back on my outside activities. I sold a couple tractors but still have 15. I use the D-14 for almost everything I do so when it goes on the blink, I'm kind of lost. None of the others are as versatile as the D-14. I've abandoned rebuilding tractors. Maintenance on 15 is about all I can handle.

I'd been gone so long that I forgot there is a space between Texas and Denny in my sign in. Someone from the site reminded me.

Still love old iron!
 
I've thought about the manifold or carb to manifold gasket. You're suggestion means I will check that next. It is about the only things that I can think of that I haven't tried.

The yellow that I mentioned is that light bulb that goes between the distributor and one of the plugs. I don't know if that is ever blue but I'll check it on a good starting tractor to make sure.

Thanks for your help.

Denny
 

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