My 841 let me down

old · Jul 8, 2015

Ok so go to try to start my Ford 841 and it would try to hit once in a while. Drained the carb and with out turning the gas on tried to start it and guess what it started but of course ran a moment or two and died. Turn on the gas to fill carb and it would hit once in a while but not run. I have smoke coming out of the exhaust but no start. Good blue white 1/4 inch plus spark from the coil wire. But could not test the spark at the plug wires. Hard to trouble shoot by your self at times. But it has been parked in the rain and had 2.25 inches in the last 24-48 hours and been forever and a day since it has had new plug or cap or rotor so may have to change them. Put a tarp over it and said to heck with it till tomorrow

Lanexa Speedway · Jul 8, 2015

Put a tarp over it and said to heck with it till tomorrow

Some times, that's just the best thing to do!

Royse · Jul 8, 2015

With that much rain, I'd start by drying the cap, rotor and wires.
You've got good spark at the coil so points are working inside the
distributor, but drying the other parts out won't hurt unless you
have my luck and break them taking them off!
Maybe use some WD-40 for what it was designed to do.
Although I would prefer a hair dryer.

old · Jul 8, 2015

I pretty much figure it is about due for a simple tune up since is has been 10 plus years since I have even done any thing to the ignition system on it. Plug wires look to be the carbon type not put on by me by the way and the plugs well who knows how old they are.

maxwell99 · Jul 9, 2015

I read that same information about WD 40, it was designed as a drying agent.

I wonder if they have changed the product formula over the years?
Once they determined how successful the product has become and that 99% of their
customers use the product as a lubricating fluid.

I think I would use the other guys suggestion, the hair dryer.

I replaced the distributor cap and wires (copper core) on my old tractor, then sprayed
the entire system with that ignition sealant material. So far it's worked well, best
thing, if possible, is to store the old boys in a covered tractor shed.

NoNewParts · Jul 9, 2015

Those green, mossy deposits that collect on ignition parts
attract and hold water.
While I approach the fanatic level on maintenance with my tractors............of course I ignore my road vehicles. lol
One of my old faithful's, a 95 Chevy truck wouldn't start
a while back after 2 days of rain. huh? this truck always starts and runs good. wouldn't hit a lick.
little troubleshooting found the underside of the cap with green moss on all contacts, and evidence of spark bleed on the coil wire.
cleaned things up, and rerouted the coil wire....it's fine.
Guess I'll spend the money for a new cap, rotor and wires...think they are original!

showcrop · Jul 9, 2015

Now there young fella, don't just go buying a bunch of parts to through at it without trouble shooting first. Wire in a push button on a four foot piece of wire if you need to.

Jimmyjack · Jul 9, 2015

Don't forget to try Oreillys if you need some parts.

old · Jul 9, 2015

Ya the distributor cap was very wet yesterday when I tried to start it up so yep figure I was loosing spark before it got to the plugs. Cap is probably well over a decade old so time for a new one plus maybe a set of plugs to boot.

old · Jul 9, 2015

That would be correct if it was wired correctly but this one was not and it was done by a Ford Dealer to boot. If it didn't have the loader on it it would be easier to trouble shoot. But since the distributor cap was covered with water I figure that is where I lost spark and it has been well over a decade since that cap has been replaced. Plus the plugs are probably about as old. And the plug wires they are not correct either being the carbon type. Again not done by me but the ford dealer. But again I am not one to fix it unless it is broken and up till yesterday it always started up

My 841 let me down

old

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Lanexa Speedway

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Royse

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old

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maxwell99

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NoNewParts

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showcrop

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Jimmyjack

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old

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old

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