Ford 861 Governor

M-Farm · Jan 12, 2015

Noticed on my 850 that the governor kicks in real smooth like it should. My 861 has always bogged down then kicks in kind of harshly and almost sounds like it spark knocks or something when it does, not a normal sound if you know what I mean. Does not lower rpm going downhill like it should either.

It is adjusted like the manual says to. Governor was put on new last year due to the old one having flatspotted the rollers somewhat.

Any ideas? I have the timing set with a timing light. I forget now if these have timing advance weights that need to be cleaned (been working on too many old things here lately)? Brought this up do to the possible spark knocking sound when bogging.

Cheaply made governor? I don't trust the steel coming out of China, had too many "soft" tools and other things break etc. Could be flatspotted again already?

thanks in advance!

WayneIA · Jan 12, 2015

The later style(weighted) governor does as you described, worse as it wears, in my opinion. The earlier style (6 ball) governor is by far a better governor. Only thing is, you can't buy the ball style governor new, just the balls. The ball type governor shows up on eBay every once in a while.

M-Farm · Jan 12, 2015

Hmmm, I would just like it to work right, getting annoying. My dad may have the old style. Thanks

NoNewParts · Jan 13, 2015

(quoted from post at 15:28:38 01/12/15) Noticed on my 850 that the governor kicks in real smooth like it should. My 861 has always bogged down then kicks in kind of harshly and almost sounds like it spark knocks or something when it does, not a normal sound if you know what I mean. Does not lower rpm going downhill like it should either.

It is adjusted like the manual says to. Governor was put on new last year due to the old one having flatspotted the rollers somewhat.

Any ideas? I have the timing set with a timing light. I forget now if these have timing advance weights that need to be cleaned (been working on too many old things here lately)? Brought this up do to the possible spark knocking sound when bogging.

Cheaply made governor? I don't trust the steel coming out of China, had too many "soft" tools and other things break etc. Could be flatspotted again already?

thanks in advance!

yes, if the governor is slow to respond, and the rpm's drop too low with the engine under a load, it will clatter badly.
(just like your manual trans truck will do in the wrong gear)

yes, there are advance weights that need to be clean.
Timing light at idle spec and again at book specified rpm to check the full advance spec.

governors...with old tractors you have to check what you have.
A 53 and later Ford tractor that came with a flyball governor that has been replaced with the later style
must have the governor compensating spring assembly changed also.
They are different.

Edit, and remember with the new style, it is just 'squeezed' in there to work. that front pulley bolt must be [i:f68fec40b6]tight[/i:f68fec40b6]

M-Farm · Jan 13, 2015

A 53 and later Ford tractor that came with a flyball governor that has been replaced with the later style
must have the governor compensating spring assembly changed also.
They are different.

Edit, and remember with the new style, it is just 'squeezed' in there to work. that front pulley bolt must be [i:6593cd1a17]tight[/i:6593cd1a17]

This sounds like it might be it. Has never been right from the get go and I am on the second governor, the first one was a "slightly used" unit that we thought would be fine and ended up replacing it with new. Sounds like I can swap out the spring from the 850 to see if it fixes it, as my 850 has the newer style rollers too and functions perfect.

Thanks, that helps a bunch and will give me something to check.

M-Farm · Jan 16, 2015

I remembered to inspect the springs this morning before work. I noticed the 861 spring seemed a little weaker, then I remembered seeing 2 springs when I looked this up online and the 861 did not have that inner spring. I did not have a chance to go back and check the functioning 850 since it was in the other barn and I was running late for work.

[b:48b3524a02]So, these are supposed to have an inner spring and an outer with hook correct?[/b:48b3524a02] Just trying to make sure so I can order today before having to physically check when I get home after work.

A weaker spring would make the throttle sluggish to respond which makes since as far as my symptoms.

Thanks again for putting me in the right direction.

Ford 861 Governor

M-Farm

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WayneIA

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NoNewParts

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M-Farm

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