Hi All,
I recently purchased a 1960 Ford 641 which ran great for the first three days. One issue snowballed into 6 and now 5 months later I am at a loss as to getting this thing running again. I have searched and searched these threads and so decided to ask the question. Here is what I have:
1. The tractor was previously converted to 12v.
2. The wiring harness burned up on the first day I used it in May after leaving the key on. I had to replace all wiring and then 12v coil, sparkplugs, wires, distributor cap, button, points, condenser. The tractor ran after doing this and ran well for several weeks.
3. I encountered a fuel leak at the fuel line. I was shutting off the fuel in between uses while attempting to repair the leak. Tractor still ran fine. I finally repaired the leak by cutting the copper tubing and flaring it again to fit the top sediment bowl. During the first use following this (maybe 10 minutes) the tractor began sputtering and simply would not run above idle. It would idle fine, but nothing higher. I got very black smoke and blackened sparkplugs.
4. Believing I was getting too much fuel, I took the carb apart and found the float valve needle was sticking and would not drop, seemingly cutting the fuel supply. I ordered a basic carb rebuild kit and replaced that needle along with a few other parts that were included. As I put it all together, I managed to break the main jet adjusting needle by over torquing. Ordered a replacement one of those and now it will not start at all.
I will get an occasional back fire, but nothing better. I have used starting fluid with no gasoline thinking I was flooding with too much fuel, but same result. If I open the carb drain, plenty of fuel comes out. I have emptied the fuel tank and added all fresh, sediment bowls are both cleaned, spark at the plugs, I am at a loss and no more hair left to pull out (fell out years ago).
The only idea I have is the concept of grounding out, which I do not really understand. When I bought the tractor there was a secondary starter button, but it burned up with the wiring. I connected the new wiring harness to the existing starter button (original) and it worked fine, so I have been using that. Pressing that button now does cause it to turn over, but could it be causing some other kind of grounding issue?
Any thoughts or advice are greatly appreciated.
I recently purchased a 1960 Ford 641 which ran great for the first three days. One issue snowballed into 6 and now 5 months later I am at a loss as to getting this thing running again. I have searched and searched these threads and so decided to ask the question. Here is what I have:
1. The tractor was previously converted to 12v.
2. The wiring harness burned up on the first day I used it in May after leaving the key on. I had to replace all wiring and then 12v coil, sparkplugs, wires, distributor cap, button, points, condenser. The tractor ran after doing this and ran well for several weeks.
3. I encountered a fuel leak at the fuel line. I was shutting off the fuel in between uses while attempting to repair the leak. Tractor still ran fine. I finally repaired the leak by cutting the copper tubing and flaring it again to fit the top sediment bowl. During the first use following this (maybe 10 minutes) the tractor began sputtering and simply would not run above idle. It would idle fine, but nothing higher. I got very black smoke and blackened sparkplugs.
4. Believing I was getting too much fuel, I took the carb apart and found the float valve needle was sticking and would not drop, seemingly cutting the fuel supply. I ordered a basic carb rebuild kit and replaced that needle along with a few other parts that were included. As I put it all together, I managed to break the main jet adjusting needle by over torquing. Ordered a replacement one of those and now it will not start at all.
I will get an occasional back fire, but nothing better. I have used starting fluid with no gasoline thinking I was flooding with too much fuel, but same result. If I open the carb drain, plenty of fuel comes out. I have emptied the fuel tank and added all fresh, sediment bowls are both cleaned, spark at the plugs, I am at a loss and no more hair left to pull out (fell out years ago).
The only idea I have is the concept of grounding out, which I do not really understand. When I bought the tractor there was a secondary starter button, but it burned up with the wiring. I connected the new wiring harness to the existing starter button (original) and it worked fine, so I have been using that. Pressing that button now does cause it to turn over, but could it be causing some other kind of grounding issue?
Any thoughts or advice are greatly appreciated.