Farmall A Carb Woes

FM

Member
I have an A that I rebuilt the motor in 4 years ago. Since the rebuild, it still seems very tempermental, starting and running. I had the magneto rebuilt which helped a lot for a while. I know I have a carb issue. It runs rich, some black smoke. It also is hard to start, HOWEVER we figured out that if you unhook the air cleaner it will start. I know the throttle shaft needs bushings put in. Can anyone tell me if we fix the throttle shaft bushings, would it make sense that will fix the other problems? I thought an air leak would make it run lean so maybe it will still smoke but at least it will start? That is my main worry at this point--I want to use it to cultivate and I need it to start reliably. If I can't I will have to buy an electric start tractor for that job and I would rather the old A earn her keep.

As far as the bushings go is that something a shade tree mechanic can tackle or am I better off sending it to a real carb guy and/or a machine shop.? I feel like I can do it but I thought that before I messed up my original carb too. Money is always an issue but sometimes you can step over a dollar to pick up a dime.

Thanks

Mike
 
You mentioned that when you unhook the air cleaner it will start right up. I would pull the cup off the air cleaner and see what you have going on in there.
Its a place to start
 
cup is full to the line with the proper grade oil, whatever that is..... Oil is clean but 4 years old. I did not take off the cup and try to start it. Just took the whole thing off. I will try taking off just the cup next time I am there. I did rinse the main body of the air cleaner with gas and didn't get much of anything out of it.

Thanks

Mike
 
If removing the air cleaner helped, you are on the right track. Do you have a mouse nest in the intake tube or is the wire mesh caked with fossilized oil and dirt ? Until you sort it out, put a small K&N aftermarket airfilter on it and cultivate. There are a bunch for old British bikes. For example- http://www.britcycle.com/products/K&N/633RC109.htm . You would have to find one that fits your carb.

I got a replacement bushing for the carb on my H (20 years ago) and installed it myself. IIRC, it used a 1/4" drill bit to ream it to size.

Greg
 
What is the best way to clean out the filter housing wire mesh? Would a dip type carb cleaner work? I have a gallon of that I could use, regular gas, diesel fuel, water, parts cleaner solution (maybe), or ??

Mike
 
I think the manual says to soak it in kerosene, but diesel fuel should work just as well and be a lot cheaper.

Greg
 
I've never worried about the throttle bushings much. You will adjust the carburetor for the air leak, entrance of dirt is the issue. Sounds like a major blockage somewhere upstream of the carburetor.
 
Just want to expand a little on the good suggestions in the first couple sentences of riverbend's reply. If you do get real serious about cleaning the air filter assembly you will probably cover this. You need to take the pre cleaner above the hood off and and with the oil resivoir off make sure there is nothing plugging that vertical tube. Dirt daubers (mud wasps) love to build homes in those things. Also check the pre cleaner as well.
 

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