TE-20 won't start

tebob · Sep 21, 2014

I have a TE-20, and of course as stamped on the block, the firing order is 1,3,4,2. From what I have read, the distributor is supposed to run counter clockwise, is this correct? From the wiring diagrams I have seen, and the plug wires coming off of the distributor would also agree with that but......., mine spins clockwise and that throws everything out the window for me. Anyone have any comments on this? Thanks!

Jeff-oh · Sep 22, 2014

As you have a coventry built tractor, please confirm what the engine looks like. Is the oil fill at the fwd end of the engine or the aft? Also, where is the oil filter on the left side or in the oil pan?

On the Contenental Motor the Dist. turns CCW. I am not sue about the Standard Motor.

Richard L · Sep 22, 2014

There should be a serial number tag on "Top" of the dash what are the numbers plus the letters in front of the numbers?

tebob · Sep 22, 2014

it says TE27874. Reason I am asking all these questions is, I've had this tractor for 20 years at my cabin in the mountains. Use it to plow snow and cut grass. Ran fine for 20 years, and then one weekend I went up and she wouldn't start, nothing, no spark. I've replaced everything except the generator and nothing. I'm stumped!!!

tebob · Sep 22, 2014

Oil fill is at front of engine and oil filter is in pan on bottom. It is the Continental Z120 engine I believe. See my other post in this forum about this tractor as I am stumped!!!

Tony in Mass. · Sep 22, 2014

Good grounds everywhere? New condenser? New coil? And even a new coil might need to be 'polarized'. Give it a shot of juice from the battery with small jumpers and then crank it over with one plug wire slowly getting closer to the block or ground... wear rubber gloves or have someone you don't like hold the wire- when it hits you'll know it.

Steve@Advance · Sep 22, 2014

Might take another look just to be sure. Take the dist cap off, crank the engine over and watch the rotor turn. Be sure to watch it while it's cranking, they sometimes kick backward when the starter is released.

Whatever the rotation, the firing order will be the same. Just bring #1 up on compression TDC, see where the rotor is pointing, assign that as #1. Which ever direction it rotates, the next will be #3, then #4, #2.

While the crank is stopped at #1TDC, loosen the distributor, rotate the housing in the opposite direction the rotor turns until the points break with the rotor pointed at #1. It is now static timed, close enough to start.

jon corbett · Sep 22, 2014

when my te 20 wouldn't start-I replaced everything-points-condenser-cap-rotor-wires-plugs-etc,what it was is the insulator block thru the distributor body-stud was grounding out.other option is how long has it sat?u may have lost the oil seal between rings and cylinders=won't suck fuel.pull plugs-squirt of oil in each cylinder,spin over,reinstall p;ugs and try starting.please let us know.

tebob · Nov 30, 2014

Well as stated in my earlier posts, my tractor is at my camp in the mountains so my time there is limited, but........., after replacing everything and still having no luck, I decided another set of eyes might help. So, after this past weekend I am happy to report, (and yes, it was something stupid as I had thought), we pulled off the plate in the distributor, cleaned off the plate and screws, re-set the points and YIPPPEEE, she started, obviously a bad ground somewhere. She runs great n ow!!! Thanks for all the help fellas!!!

TE-20 won't start

tebob

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Jeff-oh

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Richard L

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tebob

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tebob

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Tony in Mass.

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Steve@Advance

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jon corbett

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tebob

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