Runs Better on 3 Cylinders

BrianJ

New User
I"m having a problem getting my 1951 TO-20 to run. Over the year, had head rebuilt and replaced a cylinder sleeve. Now it does not want to run. Very hard to start and keep running. Was checking the spark with one of the plugs removed and the darn thing started right up. I repeated this with the other plugs and found the engine started right away when either plug 2 or 4 was removed. Can anyone provide insight as to why it starts immediately with a plug removed, but barely starts with all plugs in?
 
Hmm, I had that thought too. Everything there checked out okay. Forgot to mention that all four plugs have good spark.
 
Did you work on or disassemble the wiring or distributor lately? Might be way out of time, compression is so off, it would rather start with no compression in one.. Rather than spin or rotate the dist, Find #1 top dead, then be sure the rotor is under #1 wire on the cap, etc etc.
A few weeks ago I posted how my Cockshutt flathead Cont F164 only started again with one wire several inches above the plug, and a long spark between the two. wierd, but it did the trick. Before that I did everything I could think of to be certain the timing was not messed up.
 
Firing order goes well with the correct rotation. Don't just check the firing order alone, also check that it's in a ccw rotation.Check for bent pushrods on 2 and 4 or bent valves.
 
I got this feeling you got those two wires crossed what is your firing order and distributor rotation?
 
We bought a M Farmall that ran like that for $500.00, I uncrossed the plug wires, and made $1500.00 on it.
 

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