Starting a model B

Jlpb61

Member
I have become the owner of a 1941 b is there anything I need to do to start this tractor. I know zero about the magneto system. Does it test the same as a coil and distributor?
If you where starting one that has not run for many years how would you go about it.
It does crank over.
 
Check for spark, fuel, timing and compression.
Probly clean the carburetor first then check the gas tank for rust fines and flow before anything else. I would put oil in each spark plug hole before doing any cranking.
 
I mess with tractor like that all the time. What I do is first fill the cylinders with ATF and let it sit a few days that way the rings get freed up and also the engine is well lubed. As for that mag send me an e-mail and I'll send you a copy of a manual for that mag that way you will know how to go about cleaning or replacing the points etc.
 
(quoted from post at 09:15:59 04/25/16) Check for spark, fuel, timing and compression.
Probly clean the carburetor first then check the gas tank for rust fines and flow before anything else. I would put oil in each spark plug hole before doing any cranking.
I have oiled cylinders and cleaned carburetor have a temporary gas tank hooked up. What do I need to do to the magneto? You said check timing and spark. How would you go about that?
 
Again if you send me an e-mail I'll send yo uthe manual. The manual will tell you about the points and the setting etc. If your on classic in the bottom right corner of the box is send e-mail click on it. If in modern just click on my name and it will do the same thing.
As for the ATF yes fill the cylinders that way some of it will seep up and on the valves some to help free them up also and it it has the vertical exhaust pour some into the exhaust to help free up any sticking exhaust valves. Put the plugs back in the keep dirt etc out then after a few days pull the plugs out and spin it over some place where making an bit of a mess will not hurt any thing
 
If it turns over I see no need to do anything to the cylinders OR the timing. Pull a plug wire and see if you have a good hot spark, throw some gas at the carb and see what happens. No point working on something till you need to.
AaronSEIA
 
It has sat a long time so good chance the rings are stuck to the piston which in turn can cause broken rings which is not good
 
Any machine that I have no idea how long it has sat I do an ATF treatment to that way I know it will be less likely to be a problem with stuck rings or valves etc
 
Curious as to how you get the ATF out of the cylinder? Do you let it set until it all runs into the pan, or do you pull the plugs and try to suck it back out?
AaronSEIA
 
I used a little Marvel's Mystery Oil in the cylinders on my '38 B that had been setting a long time. Just a few squirts. Burned off when it fired.

The only other thing I did was make sure the oil pump was primed. Old B's have a tendency to loose prime. You can pull the oil line at the filter and squirt oil in it.
 
When I fill cylinders with ATF I let it sit a few days then pull the plugs back out and spin it over. Ya it makes a bit of a mess but I have not found any other way to do it. Ya I guess I could make a tube sort of thing that would screw in the plug holes but that would take a lot of time
 

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