1947 JD B timing issues

jdbuff

Member
I have been working on this 1947 B late model for the past eight months. When I first got the tractor, the engine was stuck and the gear shifter would not move. I have been able to get the engine freed up and also the gear shift. I flushed the engine and installed new oil filter and oil. I installed 12V alternator, points, condenser and coil. I have installed new Marvel Schrebler carb and pulled the valve cover to check condition of valves and springs. We have tried starting the tractor and it tries to start, but backfires. I pulled the flywheel off while working to free up the shifter and reinstalled it as it was. We have not moved the distributor. Can the distributor be rotated to change the timing, like a car distributor?
 
YES turning the distributor forward CW retards timing while backwards CCW advances. Its easy to get the plug wires reversed (or perhaps its 180 out timing ??) as posted below. It has to fire at TDC at starting but if too fast BEFORE TDC it can kick back.

You can get set timing full forward CW retarded,,,,,,,,,,then bring left piston to TDC on its compression power stroke and stop,,,,,,,,,, then if you slowly rotate dist backwards CCW advancing STOP when left plug fires (or points just break open)........originally left piston was top wire and right bottom but if dist is 180 out a plug wire reversal can get it to run.

Ifffffffffff flywheels on correct spline,,,,,,,,,cam to crank is in time,,,,,,,,,,,,,governor to cam is in time,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, with left piston at TDC the open female slot in govenor shaft end (where mag or dist mates) should be flat horizontal fore n aft and points just breaking open if alls in time......Too fast kicks back or out of time or 180 out can cause backfire and kick back

John T
 
Is it a Delco or a Wico XB Distributor??? Was it converted from 6 to 12 or already a 12 volt??? I'm guessing Delco since you state you added a new coil (6 or 12 volt coil used ???)?? For an alternator since most are NEG Ground did you switch coil wires so switch feeds + and - wires to distributor???

John T
 
It is a Delco Remy distributor and I ordered a 12V universal conversion from Stiener. We did not change any of the wires from the way they were originally.
 
This is a one owner tractor that has set for fifteen years in a shed. I was told that it was running when it was parked, so I have not removed anything but the flywheel while I was freeing up the gear slides. The information that you sent is what I was looking for. Thank you so much. I will review this and double check everything once again.
 
simple enough....it has pitcocks "right" then open and see that when the left cylinder is clearing it's self and tops over look at your cap and make sure lead is going to the left cylinder....now if your points are bad or condenser then you need to replace...those distributors are 6 volts so you need a resistor block or I suppose one of those resistor coils...I'd get it firing...then check my cylinder and flywheel location in reference to TDC "top dead center" It should fire at 0 advance on startup..make sure you weight and springs in distributor are free....might get fire then try pulling the tractor on startup with pitcocks open....
 
Can the distributor be changed over to 12V. I saw that Stiener had a 6v to 12v change over kit? Thanks for the information.
 
Checked everything and found that I was 180 out on timing. Switched spark plug wires and it fired right up. No smoke or unusual noise and good oil pressure. Thanks for your info.
 
I double checked everything and found that I was 180 out on timing. Switched plug wires and it fired right up. Runs good, sounds good and no unusual noise. Had good oil pressure. Not bad for a tractor that has set for over fifteen years. Thanks for your information.
 
Changed plug wires and it fired right up. Runs good, sounds good and has good oil pressure. Not bad for a tractor that has set for fifteen years. Thanks for your help.
 
Went back and double checked everything. Swapped the wires on distributor and it fired right up. Thanks for the information.
 
I was in the Army for over 40 years and needed something to do to stay busy, so I decided to learn to work on old tractors. There are not
many people where I live that know anything about the old tractors. Glad I found out about Yesterdays Tractors and people like you that are
willing to help.
 
I would like to flush the cooling system, since the tractor has been setting so long. The antifreeze looks really good, but thought it
would pay to flush it good. What would do the best job of cleaning the system?
 

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