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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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Farmall M Distributor timing.....it wont start....

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Jamie Stratton

05-30-2004 12:01:06




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We've been at this again for 3 hours and some. It seems like its on the right timing. The piston is up and its on the timing mark. The rotor is pointing to number one spark plug. I've triple checked the firing order. This thing still wont start. I have no idea why. CAN ANYONE AT ALL HELP ....I've noticed that it says the spark occurs at the first notch. What does that mean. There are three timing marks on this freakin pulley. I dont know what to do now. It just wont start. It doesn't even sound like it wants to start.

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Bob

05-30-2004 12:56:28




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 Re: Farmall M Distributor timing.....it wont start in reply to Jamie Stratton, 05-30-2004 12:01:06  
You may have the distributor installed so that it is firing #1 spark plug 360 cranksaft degrees from where it should.

(Firing at the end of the exhaust stroke instead of the compression stroke.)



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Jason(PA)

05-30-2004 12:45:17




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 Re: Farmall M Distributor timing.....it wont start in reply to Jamie Stratton, 05-30-2004 12:01:06  
One more thing. I learned that you can not time these engines with a timing light. Once you get it running just turn the distributor untill you hear that it is just right.



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rustyfarmall

05-30-2004 12:44:48




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 Re: Farmall M Distributor timing.....it wont start in reply to Jamie Stratton, 05-30-2004 12:01:06  
I assume you have already checked and ruled out everything else? Do you have spark? Is it getting gas? Are the valves operating correctly?
Pull a spark plug wire off of the plug, crank the engine and see if you have spark. If you do have spark, and everything else checks out OK, then you may need to advance the timing by rotating the distributor, if the timing is too slow, the engine will not start.
Also, if there is no spark, check for grounded connections inside the distributor. I know what you are going through, I have been there, and it can be very frustrating. Just remember the old rule, if you have fuel, and you have spark, that engine has to run. It's just a matter of getting it all to happen at the right time. Hang in there.

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KC SUPER M MAN

05-30-2004 12:35:06




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 Re: Farmall M Distributor timing.....it wont start in reply to Jamie Stratton, 05-30-2004 12:01:06  
The distributer rotates clockwise as viewed from the rear (the end the cap is on). The #1 terminal on the distributer should be marked and is the upper right.

the firing order should be 1342 number 1 cylinder is to the radiator.The best way is to pull number 1 spark plug and bring the piston to top dead center and then look at your dist rotor then you can figure out the order on your dist cap

Pull the spark plugs from the cylinders and put your thumb over the #1 hole (closest to the front). Get someone to crank the starter or turn the engine by hand until you feel air pushing your thumb off the hole; that's when the piston is on the compression stroke. Now look at the big pulley at the front of the engine, right below the govenor you should be able to find the timing mark close to the pointer, move the pulley until the mark lines up with the pointer (if all of the spark plugs are out you can crank the engine by turning the fan by hand). While you're turning the engine take a look at the distributor and watch which way the rotor turns. The engine is now where the spark should fire #1. Loosen the distributor and turn it until the points just open as it climbs up the cam (remember which way the rotor will turn), that's when it will fire. Now put the rotor on the distributor and see where it's pointing, the connector on the distributor cap where the rotor is pointing is the one you want to connect to #1 spark plug, then connect the other plug wires in the firing order ALSO, check your destribuutor cap to make sure it's not cracked an is functional. also replace your points and condenser, they too can be bad!!! GOOD LUCK AND WE'LL TRY TO HELP YOU OUT IF THIS DON'T HELP ANY.
KC

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Jamie Stratton

05-30-2004 12:52:33




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 Re: Re: Farmall M Distributor timing.....it wont s in reply to KC SUPER M MAN, 05-30-2004 12:35:06  
I've got new spark plugs, new rotor, points, condesor, and distributor cap all of them are on. She still wont start. We still think that its a timing problem but are pretty sure we have it right on. The only thing we can think of is that it isn't getting fuel. The plugs arent wet, and they dont smell like they are getting fuel to them. I would think a carb problem, but the freakin thing ran a couple a days ago. You mess with the distributor, and you mess everything else up. GEEZ

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Jamie Stratton

05-30-2004 13:22:49




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 Re: Re: Re: Farmall M Distributor timing.....it wo in reply to Jamie Stratton, 05-30-2004 12:52:33  
We decided to pull off plug #1 again, and find the compression stroke. We figured out it was 180 degrees out. I think that the one guy who said it could be 360 degrees out was right. Apparently it takes two strokes for the piston to go all the way up to top dead center. Thanks for all the help and thought. She runs now.



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rustyfarmall

05-30-2004 15:31:47




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Farmall M Distributor timing.....i in reply to Jamie Stratton, 05-30-2004 13:22:49  
Glad to hear it, I can almost see you smiling from here.



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Bob

05-30-2004 14:53:42




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Farmall M Distributor timing.....i in reply to Jamie Stratton, 05-30-2004 13:22:49  
It depends upon how you look at it... 360 crankshaft degrees = 180 distributor degrees.

So you pull the distributor and rotate the distributor 180 degrees, or rotate the engine 360 degrees, and put the distributor back where it was!

Anyhow, GLAD TO HEAR YOU GOT IT GOING!



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Allan

05-30-2004 13:03:12




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 Re: Re: Re: Farmall M Distributor timing.....it wo in reply to Jamie Stratton, 05-30-2004 12:52:33  
Jamie,

What was the original problem? Did you just go out yesterday and it wouldn't run or what?

Allan



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harley1983

05-31-2004 18:34:43




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Farmall M Distributor timing.....i in reply to Allan, 05-30-2004 13:03:12  
Just for future reference, I had the same problem with an M, checked everything 6 times etc., and finally, while checking for spark and not finding one, found out that the points had slipped down a little too far and were grounding to the mounting bracket. You couldn't see it, but by putting a test light on them, you could see that you weren't getting anything. There's always something new, huh? Harley

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