'52 A pings under load

Wemedeeres · Sep 27, 2014

I'm guessing it's a timing issue but I'd like to get some other opinions before I start making adjustments. When plowing today I was running in 4th gear pulling 2-14s when I'd hit a hard spot she'd start pinging almost borderline knocking. If I shift down to 3rd it pulls just fine and no pinging. I might hook on to my 3 bottom tomorrow and see what happens but I'm guessing I'm going to hear the same thing with a bigger plow in a lower gear. Anything else that may cause this other than the timing being off a little?

gtx1967jewison · Sep 27, 2014

Put colder plugs in before you destroy a piston or head gasket!
By the tiny you hear it, it's been happening for some time.

Husker44A · Sep 27, 2014

I was baling this summer with my 44 A and it was doing the
same thing. I was using 85 with ethonal gas (junk imo) ran tank
down to about 1/4 and filled with 91 Sunoco fuel no ethanol.
Shutters set the temp at 210-220. Zero Ping !!!! I dont havent
ever liked the ethanol because the engine has to BURN MORE to
do the same THING as gas WITHOUT ETHANOL !!!!.. NEVER
AGIAIN. I dont farm but use my A every so often as a working
tractor. Maybe put on 75 hrs a year. I know the higher octane
fuel is higher priced but i feel its worth it.

Wemedeeres · Sep 27, 2014

I think the plugs are Champion D 21's, I bought the tractor this spring and it's been a good runner so I haven't bothered to change the plugs. I've never been a champion plug fan in two cylinders.

I'll try some different gas in it too, I filled it last week at a gas station on my way to a plowing bee, and I think it was 87 octane, everything around here has 10% ethanol in it bug I think there's a station in town that carries 92 octane.

wilamayb · Sep 27, 2014

Many times the combustion knock can be eliminated
by backing the load needle out a couple or three
clicks. Lean running conditions can create excess
combustion heat which leads to preigntion. Also
check ignition timing with a light. It should be
not much over 20 degrees BTDC at Wide Open
Throttle.

gtx1967jewison · Sep 28, 2014

When that tractor was new, gas was in the 70 octane range.
You need a plug 2-3 heat ranges colder. Book says D16 for a
champion. I believe (off old memory) owners manual states
something like a minimum of 57 octane gasoline. Anyhow,
richer mixture & colder plugs will fix it, provided your timing is
correct. Good luck

NNP · Sep 28, 2014

after timing is right.....
I agree with the other posters.
Sometimes a 'one size fits all' approach doesn't work well with these old tractors.
Just puttin around the yard doing nothing, a hotter plug and slightly lean mixture seems ideal.
Drop an implement into heavy ground and not so good.
Only takes a minute to put in colder plugs when hard work is ahead. And on most tractors, that finger adjustable main mixture
is there for a reason. richen it up a tad before you drop the plow in. Your engine will be much happier. On the way back to the barn, put it back where it was.

ps when I start a job and decide I want let's say 4th gear....
first pass, the tractor says, no, I want 3rd.......
The tractor always has to win these arguments.......

Wemedeeres · Sep 28, 2014

I feel dumb for even asking this but would hotter plugs cause the engine temp to run higher? It was about 80 degrees out and I was plowing along a shelter belt in the shade, going one direction I was pulling into a somewhat cool breeze and it still ran a little over 220. Last weekend I was at a plowing bee it ran about 220 a guy I talked to there had a G that was running under 190.

Indiana Ken · Sep 28, 2014

Hotter plugs will not make your engine run hotter. A hotter plug, has a longer path to conduct heat away from the tip. Therefore, the plug does not cool itself as well and runs hotter. The engine temperature of a correctly operating engine is not changed.

You have hinted your engine is running hot - that can/will cause pinging. Assuming you have not modified the engine I would suggest: 1) check the cooling system to insure the engine is at operating temp and not over heating, 2) check the timing and set to specs as required. Finally IMO, you should not have to set an old tractor designed for 60/70 (?) octane fuel to run rich or run cold plugs to prevent it from pinging.

BushogPapa · Sep 28, 2014

Check the Initial Ignition Timing, then VERIFY that the Advance is working..

Back in the day, NO Gas tractor went out to plow without the "Mail Fuel" or "Power Scres" opened up for more fuel..
Slightly Rich puts you at the best mixture for "Best Power" and helps take some heat away from the Exhaust valves..which was not uncommon back then.

Ofcourse, you don't know if the compression has been raised in your "A"...

You may need to drain the cooling system, remove the Lower water connection and Pressure-Wash 62 Years of rust and scale out of the cylinder block..!

Ron.

BushogPapa · Sep 28, 2014

Main Fuel

BushogPapa · Sep 28, 2014

Around here (Central Ohio), a Late JD "A" Gas was rated for 2x16".
Only one I knew of around here that pulled 3x14" was a Late "A", with a "Power Block"...

Wemedeeres · Sep 28, 2014

I was headed to the farm this morning and it started to drizzle so I smeared some grease on the plow and stuck it in the shed for the winter. With this rain my testing grounds won't be fit for anymore work this season so I just may have to postpone making any of these adjustments until this winter when the days drag on.

'52 A pings under load

Wemedeeres

Member

gtx1967jewison

Well-known Member

Husker44A

Well-known Member

Wemedeeres

Member

wilamayb

Well-known Member

gtx1967jewison

Well-known Member

NNP

Member

Wemedeeres

Member

Indiana Ken

Well-known Member

BushogPapa

Well-known Member

BushogPapa

Well-known Member

BushogPapa

Well-known Member

Wemedeeres

Member

Similar threads