Won't Fire on both Cylinders

Andrew k

Member
I have a 1952 John Deere A that will only fire on the No.1 cylinder. I have overhauled the motor recently completely. It has a new electronic ignition built by Denny"s Carb Shop. I did continuity checks on the new wires and distributor cap and all are good. I hooked up my timing light and show No.2 firing through the wire but not in the cylinder. If I disconnect No.1 wire the tractor will shutoff indicating it is only running on No.1if I take the spark plug out of No.2 hole that"s not firing and put it in No.1 it will then fire and take the plug from no.1 that was firing good and stick it in No.2 it will not fire. I believe there is good compression in both cylinders as it is all new and is bored .045 over. I doubled checked valve clearance as we"ll and found nothing wrong. Is there a possible timing issue internal? Thanks for any information.
 
Do you know for sure it's getting fuel to that side? I've seen intake manifolds plugged with carbon. It's worth a shot to take a look!
 
Did you possibly install the distributor so the spark is getting to #2 when it is on the exhaust stroke instead of compression stroke?
 
Check out the dist., plug wires, and ends, points, and point settings.
I had a similar problem with a 60,
Dist. was in wrong
 
It sure sounds like the #2 spark is running cylinder #1 which of course means exactly that timing somewhere is off somehow? Verify that with impulse mark on the flywheel at 3 o'clock position ( #1 compression stroke, TDC ) that the drive slot for the distributor on the governor shaft is horizontal might be the place to start? Then maybe turn the distributor shaft 180 degrees, move #1 wire to under the rotor position and try it again. Still no joy, try flipping the magnet ring on the electronic ignition inside for outside if you even can do that. Which might be the problem entirely? Wish I had something more solid for you. Not familiar at all with Denny's Carb Shop ignition system, first time I've heard that they even have one in fact. Seems like it's a 90 degree problem in a 180 degree situation, but that should only apply to that special pulling distributor with half speed gearing in it and a 90 degree cap - you got the right ignition system for your distributor?
 

Are you using larger Gap-settings on your plugs..?

DON'T...

It is always a good idea to install NEW #3116 Autolights when you have problems with a 2-cylinder JD..

Ron.
 
Plugs are brand new Autolights. When you swap the plugs from the other hole the dead one will fire in the No.1 hole and the one one that was firing in the No.1 hole will not fire in the No.2 hole.
 
This is an electronic ignition system. It does not have points and condenser, etc. The Distributor is brand new. The entire tractor has been overhauled front to back.
 
Denny's rebuilds distributors, magnetos, and carbs, etc. It is a petronix ignition system he just sets up kits in the distributor. Kits include new wires, plugs, coil, cap, rotor, etc.
 
I have swapped the plugs already and the one from No.2 that will not fire, will fire in the No.1 hole. The one that is firing in No.1 still will not revive No.2
 
sounds like a fuel issue? or valve timing. Is the plug on number 2 getting wet? Maybe something got shoved into the manifold during assembly plugging off the intake? (rag, paper towel,etc)
 
Is it possible that new from Dennys ignition system is one that only sparks every otehr time they're at TDC & maybe you're sprking #2 when th valves are open & not on the copression stroke? Does the rotor in the distributor turn at engine speed or at 1/2 engine speed? Just an idea.
 
Make sure you have the correct cap and rotor. Did the original rotor have one or two electrodes? I do know there are different dist caps and rotors that will fit the John Deere two cylinder. Relax it has to be something simple. You have compression and it will at least run on one cylinder so valve timing should be right. I learned an engine needs four things to run. Compression , Gas, Spark all at the correct Time. Hope this helps got to be something simple.
 
Make sure you have the right cap on it had the same issue on my 60 and a buddy"s b the cap had the wires coming out the top of the cap and would only run on the 1 cylinder installed the cap that the wires come out the side and they were like a brand new tractors
 
Definitely 3 o'clock as the matching mark is under the floor boards on a transmission cover, look for a raised bar 1/4 inch wide, 3 inches long stamped into a side cover there, the word impulse will be right side up for reading as well as being horizontal too. Good to know it's a pertronix, I have one also in the delco distributor on my 44 A, can't go wrong as far as I'm concerned with those. Just to throw some gasoline on the fire, I AM running a larger gap on Champion D-21 plugs no less - .080 is as far as I can stretch them out before the cover electrode can't completely get over the center electrode. Runs great and never misses - I'm only doing this to prove a point, please set yours to standard gap and forget what I'm doing just for bragging rights. I also have the 3 ohm pertronix coil and I got both at this site, to the left, second link down - tractor parts. Running 12 volts negative ground and using a $60 delco standard alternator as well. The pertronix flamethrower coil really DOES make a real difference, I've never had a hotter spark even out of an $80 Mallory racing coil. And those were 1975 dollars. So it sounds like you set your governor shaft a tad bit off? That just might be enough to make it act like it does. You'll get it sorted out now I'm sure. CAUTION, remove your distributor before you undo the left side governor bearing cover to re-align that shaft or you risk breaking the distributor drive shaft when tightening those cover bolts going back together. If your cam gear is using three bolts you can just take them out and you should be able to re-align that gear as well if it was timed wrong as well. Best of luck.
 
I was called to a 620 that had electronic ign. installed and the pickup under the rotor was the wrong one . I put original points back on and tractor ran fine .
 

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