1959 Case 211B Distributor Mechanical Advance

DB1991

Member
I am starting a new topic since I hadn't updated the old one in awhile.

It can be found here:

http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?t=1324048

I pulled the distributor cap, rotor, condenser, and points off the tractor today to take a look at the mechanical advance. It seems as though the springs are not returning home.

This is them in the "home" position:

eJ6F4tK.jpg


This is them after I manually turned the shaft and they did not return home:

cvWfIen.jpg


The distributor is an Autolite 6003 2F. I am wondering if I could get by with taking it apart, and then cleaning and lubing the components. Or, if the springs are shot, if anyone has a source for buying new ones or knows what size they are supposed to be.
 
A complete cleaning and lube MAY fix it. If the springs are good, and it still does not return to full retard the outer spring "tabs" can be bent a bit as needed for adjustment. I have an old Sun distributor tester I used to test distributors with, and bending the tabs was done on lots of Autolite distributors.
 
You'll find the top of the verticle shaft and the cam lobe that slides over it need cleaning. Crap or corrosion is preventing the cam from being pulled back by the return springs. Diesel is right, find a dist machine to check it. Low comp engines like these are not terribly sensitive to detonation, which is the killer. Not advancing as engine speed increases leads to heating and power loss. I've a Sun machine in west central MN. Most older svc folks should still have them in their shops, not used to much anymore but too useful to part with.
 
I just went through exactly the same thing with my 611B, also with Autolite distributor. You have a LOT of rust in yours, how are the cam lobes? Also, is there a lot of play in the shaft? I had to replace the bushings in mine, as well as the springs. john Saeli has the bushings and the springs, but you need to get him the exact size of the springs so he can match them up. Probably easiest to just send the old springs to him. But I'd try cleaning up the rust and oiling the advance mechanism first. There is supposed to be a felt button under the rotor bug that needs about 3 drops of oil each time it's serviced, that keeps the advance oiled. There is also an oil cup below and on the side of the housing that lubes the upper bushing through a felt wick, same 3 drops/service. If you still have the points cover, and still have the felt seal in it, it should stay dry. The cam lobes need a [u:e70dab9661]tiny[/u:e70dab9661] dab of points lube every 2-3 years or whenever the points are replaced. When in doubt, replace the cap & rotor, they are cheap and available. My tractor runs much smoother now with a nice smooth advance. If you need a parts diagram or such, I have the manuals, but Case doesn't list any internal distributor parts except stuff like points & condenser that are available aftermarket anyway. I do advise not to use ABC stuff here, when I removed my ABC rotor to oil that felt it cracked in two. Easily.
 

I went in and cleaned everything and lubed it up. I could twist the advance and it would spring right back in to the "home" position with no issue.

I put everything back together and the tractor died again. It backfired this time, which hadn't happened before.

I think I will take a video tonight and post it to better describe what's going on. I think I need to get a timing light on it next.
 

So I tried to take the video yesterday, but it seemed to run fine and then run out of fuel. I looked in the tank and saw the area where the sediment bowl has some stuff by it. I pulled the sediment bowl off, put a rubber fuel line to it, and turned the valve on. It was flowing very slowly. I tried to take the sediment bowl assembly out of the gas tank but it seems to be stuck in there pretty good. I am going to pull the fuel tank off and drain it.

Any advice for getting the sediment bowl assembly off the gas tank without breaking it or the gas tank?
 

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