Farmall H rough running

jwb53 · Jul 11, 2017

Hello Farmall guys! I have a 1950 Farmall H tractor - the only Farmall in my collection. It only gets started and moved around once or twice per year. It starts fine, and runs well initially, but after it warms up, it starts running rough, almost like it is missing out, but not consistent like one cylinder cutting out. It seems a bit like an ignition issue (I hate electrical problems...). Like maybe as simple as the coil getting weak when it warms up?? I simply haven't made time to work on it. (Did I mention I hate electrical problems??) I would like to get it capable of doing a tractor drive so that my cousin can mark that item off of his bucket list (he grew up on Farmalls).

I don't mean to be lazy by asking this question of you before I have even tried to work on it, but just thought maybe this might be something common to the Farmall H that some of you have run across before (I have not had one of my Massey's behave in this manner), and it could save me some time if I had some experienced Farmall ideas on where to start first. It is still set up with 6-volt system. Next time I plan to start and run it I will probably stick a different coil on it just to see if that makes a difference.

Please share your thoughts with me if you have ideas.

Thanks,

JB

Janicholson · Jul 11, 2017

Three things come to mind: Feel the ignition coil when it starts to act up. If it is hot, replace it. Next wiggle the distributor shaft, side to side, not in and out) if you can see it move the shaft/bushing is worn too much. If there is old gas in it, it could be plugging up the fuel supply. If choking it a little makes it better, suspect that. Jim

banjoman09 · Jul 11, 2017

Hi, I have the same tractor - luv it and runs good. You will get some better ideas than mine but thought I would give you my 2 cnts

Look at the sediment bowl under the tank - make sure it is clean. Check points and replace condenser; Doesn't sound like a plug...can you "isolate" the miss after it warms up by pulling plug wires one at a time while running? If this all fails- try your coil! Good luck!

jwb53 · Jul 11, 2017

Thanks for the quick responses. It does have new gas and clean sediment bowl. Choking it a little (or a lot) hasn't helped. I have not tried to isolate by pulling plug wires. I have not wiggled the distributor shaft. Good ideas. I have also thought about the condenser. I remember when I was a teenager, our Ford Jubilee started having similar issues while pulling the old JD 494A planter. It took us awhile, but we finally fixed that one by replacing the condenser. I should probably just start out by replacing the points and condenser. Not that expensive to do.

Another thought somebody else had. If valve lash is set too tight, the valves might not be seating completely when things warm up. Has anybody run into that issue??

Thanks again for your thoughtful replies!

JB

FBH44 · Jul 12, 2017

My 1950 H acts the same way from time to time, and to give you some encouragement, it always works out to be something real simple. Also, when you finally get her figured out, she'll start and PURRRRRR right along.

rustyfarmall · Jul 12, 2017

(quoted from post at 18:09:23 07/11/17) Hello Farmall guys! I have a 1950 Farmall H tractor - the only Farmall in my collection. It only gets started and moved around once or twice per year. It starts fine, and runs well initially, but after it warms up, it starts running rough, almost like it is missing out, but not consistent like one cylinder cutting out. It seems a bit like an ignition issue (I hate electrical problems...). Like maybe as simple as the coil getting weak when it warms up?? I simply haven't made time to work on it. (Did I mention I hate electrical problems??) I would like to get it capable of doing a tractor drive so that my cousin can mark that item off of his bucket list (he grew up on Farmalls).

I don't mean to be lazy by asking this question of you before I have even tried to work on it, but just thought maybe this might be something common to the Farmall H that some of you have run across before (I have not had one of my Massey's behave in this manner), and it could save me some time if I had some experienced Farmall ideas on where to start first. It is still set up with 6-volt system. Next time I plan to start and run it I will probably stick a different coil on it just to see if that makes a difference.

Please share your thoughts with me if you have ideas.

Thanks,

JB

Possibly the manifold gasket is going bad, or the carburetor to manifold gasket. You'll need to dig a bit deeper, but it sounds to me like one of the valves is set too tight. If there is not enough clearance, the gap will go away completely when the engine gets warm.

Goose · Jul 12, 2017

Vent plugged in the gas cap?

If the tank is not venting properly, the engine will eventually draw enough gas to create a vacuum in the tank. It happened on one of my H's.

jwb53 · Jul 12, 2017

Yes, another good idea. Had that problem on one of the small engines on the sprayer support trailer this summer. It would start cutting out and eventually die. Loosening the cap fixed it right up. It will be easy enough to loosen or remove the gas cap next time I have it running to check for this issue. Thanks for the idea!

Farmall H rough running

jwb53

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Janicholson

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banjoman09

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jwb53

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FBH44

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rustyfarmall

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Goose

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jwb53

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