Trouble keeping tractor running

daltongang

New User
I am a first time tractor owner. I have a 1962 Massey Ferguson 50. I am having trouble keeping it running. It will run fine for a while and then it starts cutting out and dies. It usually starts right back up but will run rough for a while and then may die again or it might run ok for a while and then cut out and die again. I was thinking of replacing as much electrical items I could. Plug wires, coil, distributer cap, rotor, dust cap, voltage regulator, solenoid, and plugs. At first I thought it could be a fuel issue and it may be. I have replaced the fuel cap and there doesn't seem to be a fuel filter only a sediment bowl which is always clean. I am currently baffled and would appreciate any feedback on this issue. I am trying to avoid spending money that I don't need to. It is a 4 cylinder Continental engine 12 volt system.

Thanks,
Ken
 
Sounds more fuel related than electrical. There is a screen in the sediment bowl. Make sure its clean. Also look in the tank and make sure a leaf or something didn't get in there and is blocking the inlet. There is a drain plug on the bottom of the carb. Pull it and see how much fuel drains out. You should be able to put a mason jar there and have a continuous stream flow out at a good rate and fill the jar. If all that is good try adjusting the carb a little and see if it improves.
 
Check the coil when it quits and see if it id hot to the touch. If it is that could be your problem. Condenser may be shorting when it gets hot also.
 
Keep in mind too that they sell both vented and non-vented gas caps. Not sure why they would sell a non-vented one for a non return system but they do. If you put a non-vented one on there that could cause your symptoms as well.
 
MY MH 50 will sometimes do that. when it does there is pressure in the tank. open up tank and it will start right up. Don't always do it just in spring time with winter gas in tank. I myself think it is winter fuel. try running with the cap loose on tank. that solves my issue. or drill hole in cap for vent.
 
i'm with rockepg on this. sounds like a fuel delivery problem. in my experience when the condenser goes the spark get extremely weak and the tractor will not run at all.
if it does run it misses badly. if you do get a steady stream of fuel through the plug in bottom of carb, ck the key switch. Key switches deteriorate over time and cause
an electrical drain that will cause very poor spark. Ck by using a voltage meter. if you have 12 volts at battery (assuming it's a 12V) then you should have 12V at hot
side of key switch. if appreciably less than 12V, it's your switch. I recently went through this with my 8N.

You said you are new to this, di this happen all at once or gradually?
 
I should have asked if you were getting a good spark. Do you have a spark tested that will show if your spark will jump 1/4 inch? Your Z134 Gas engine is a great engine
in my opinion. Good luck and let us know how you progress. We will get you running.
 
(quoted from post at 14:46:59 02/07/17) i'm with rockepg on this. sounds like a fuel delivery problem. in my experience when the condenser goes the spark get extremely weak and the tractor will not run at all.
if it does run it misses badly. if you do get a steady stream of fuel through the plug in bottom of carb, ck the key switch. Key switches deteriorate over time and cause
an electrical drain that will cause very poor spark. Ck by using a voltage meter. if you have 12 volts at battery (assuming it's a 12V) then you should have 12V at hot
side of key switch. if appreciably less than 12V, it's your switch. I recently went through this with my 8N.

You said you are new to this, di this happen all at once or gradually?

It happens gradually. Sometimes it will run perfect. Then it will just run rough and die. There is always a lot of pressure when you open the fuel cap
 

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