DC head scratcher...

Well, this DC Case is starting to make me pull my hair. In my previous post, I explained how I had removed and cleaned the mag and got good spark. I also removed the valve cover and set valve lash. Tractor would not start after re-installing mag. A few of you made some suggestions, one of which was to move the plug wires (thinking I had it one hole out of time)...well, I moved them all 1 hole counterclockwise, cranked it over, and still nothing. Oh well, had to try once to make sure. I put them BACK into the correct holes. Just for giggles, I hit the starter button, and IT STARTED!
Now, I'm at a loss as to what was wrong. I had cranked and cranked on this tractor with hardly any sign of life 2 nights ago. Now it runs like a top! I had planned to take this tractor up North to the Mackinaw Bridge crossing next weekend, but I'm afraid of hauling it all the way up there and it not starting for the parade. Any ideas??????
 
This is on the same lines as to what your doing but it did work. I had a guy call me last summer with a ford tractor that he could not get to fire up. The firing order was way off. So I took the plug wires and moved them one hole at a time around the cap. I did that 3 times and on the 3rd try it fired up and ran just fine. I found that some one had pulled the distributor and just dropped it back in not thinking about the timing and firing order
 
Keep starting it and stopping it several time a day between now and departure date. Build your level of confidence, or support your level of doubt. Something wasn't clicking and now it is. I've fixed things before and been ask "what did you do to fix it?" I don't know? I messed with this and fiddled with that, not sure what I did. But it works now. Could be maybe it was your day to be blessed. 5 miles across the bridge isn't it? Went across with my Mom Dad and sisters back in 66 I think. gobble
 
I would look closer at the kill switch on the dash. While the tractor is running. Wiggle the knob side to side, up and down.

I had a 51 D standard that had a bad switch. That tractor would shut its self off. Sometimes it would not shut off when I wanted it too.
 
While that is a great idea, unfortunetly its not my problem. I had the kill wire unhooked at the mag the entire time. thanks though
 
I would take the mag off and replace it with a Delco distributor that works and put the mag on the shelf. I had many issues with my SC mag and went with the Delco distributor replacement and end off problems
 
I had a problem with my IH M, the kill switch had a bare spot and would kill the tractor. I would mess with it and it would start. This went on till I finally noticed the wire, while thinking it was a fuel problem or electric problem I would move the wire without knowing it.
caseman-d
 
Had a similar problem with my SC with a mag. Everything checked good. Would have good spark when checked. Most times would not start for anything. Last thing I replaced were the spark plugs. Old ones would fire outside the engine and looked good. Install them and would not fire under compression. Replaced them and ran great and still does. Threw the old ones out. Just a bit of information. Allan
 
When you moved the wires around to no avail, and it did not start, theoretically, the engine should have flooded, but when you moved the wires back, it started. Me thinks you might have a fuel problem.
 
One of my D series does not want to start when it is completely cooled down. Pull the choke out and nothing. I have to get off and finishing closing the choke with my fingers on the choke lever at the carb. The push pull cable binds a little at the choke connection so the choke does not completely close. Runs fine after this procedure.

If the choke is working and the ignition isn't, you should see unburned fuel vapors coming out the exhaust when you crank it. If the fuel is left turned on to the carb for a few hours, maybe the needle valve leaked a little allowed a little flooding/wetting of the carb air passage and this fuel caused the engine to start up when cranked. Me thinks your problem is fuel related.
 

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.

Back
Top