1951 Ferguson TO-20 governor issue

jnam061403 · Apr 7, 2015

What range of motion should the governor lever arm have? I recently rebuilt the throttle and governor control assemblies and the governor lever arm range of motion is very small. At full throttle the lever arm is in roughly a 12:00 position.

Steve@Advance · Apr 7, 2015

The arm that attaches to the carb throttle plate should have enough travel to move from idle to full throttle.

Once you determine that is happening, start the engine, set the speed to idle. The governor should push the throttle shut, against the idle stop. You can then push the arm to wide open position and feel the governor trying to push back. Don't hold it there, just rev it high enough to feel the action of the governor. Once this adjustment is satisfactory, don't change it.

Then slowly bring the speed up with the speed lever on the dash. It should top out at 2200 RPM. If it doesn't get to 2200, increase the travel until it does. If it goes over, decrease the travel. All you are doing is changing the tension on the governor spring, not setting any particular length.

jnam061403 · Apr 8, 2015

I am beginning to believe that the governor may be seized because the lever arm, the link physically attached to the governor, does not move enough to open the carb plate to full throttle. This was verified with the engine off. Also, should the lever arm have a spring loaded feel when the throttle is moved to the idle position. Meaning the lever arm seems to want to spring back toward a higher throttle position when its moved into idle position.

Steve@Advance · Apr 8, 2015

Since the arm will move, that's a good indication it's going to work. Take the link off the carb and see how much travel you have. Possibly the length needs to be adjusted to get it in operating range.

There is no spring inside the governor. The return to idle force is generated by the spinning balls, only when the engine is running.

jnam061403 · Apr 8, 2015

I understand that there is not a spring inside the governor assembly. I was just referring to a springy feel that I was getting from the governor lever arm as I manually moved into the idle position. The lever seems to want to move or spring back, on its own, toward the throttle-up position. This was observed with all linkages, meaning both the throttle and carburetor rods, disconnected from the governor lever arm. Also, with the linkages disconnected from the governor lever arm assembly, I get very little hand-operated movement from the governor lever arm. I would venture to say that it is 1" or less of total travel.

jnam061403 · Apr 8, 2015

Also, the carb was just rebuilt and operates smoothly, as does the throttle rod and hand throttle assemblies.

Steve@Advance · Apr 8, 2015

http://fergusonenthusiasts.com/restoration%20helps/tech/Adjusting%20Throttle%20Linkage.pdf

Possibly the bumper screw is too far in. That will limit the travel of the lever, and cause a springy feeling. Try backing it out, see if it gives more travel.

Another problem I've heard of but never seen, there is a vent hole inside the end of the cam where the spool moves in and out. If it's clogged the spool can't move freely enough and will cause slow reaction. If you end up going into the governor, be sure to check that the vent hole is open.

1951 Ferguson TO-20 governor issue

jnam061403

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Steve@Advance

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jnam061403

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Steve@Advance

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jnam061403

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jnam061403

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Steve@Advance

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