8n won't start

My side mount, 6 volt '51 8n won't start. I drained old gas after it sat for a couple of years, put in new spark plugs (Autolite AL437), new points, distributor cap, rotor, condensor & battery. SOB still doesn't start. Cranks good, have continuity across point when open, key off. have 6volts when
key on, points open. Plenty of gas running out of bottom of carb. It just will not even try to fire. I'm going to store now to get a spark plug
tester, but feel certain I'm not getting spark. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Try pull starting.

Front mount distributor? New battery 6-volt, but is it connected positive or negative ground? Wiring good and correct? You don't need to go to town and spend time and money on a spark plug tester, you say new plugs but did you check for spark? Get your copy of Brice(VA)'s 75 Tips for N-Owners and follow his procedure for checking spark, using an old plug gapped at 1/4". What does the starter do when you turn key? Does it crank or just click? Also get a copy of Wiring Pictograms by JMOR and verify wiring is correct. Report back...

Tim Daley(MI)

" have continuity across point when open, key off"

There should be no continuity across points when open. To double check, the wire from coil to side of distributor should have battery voltage with points open, and near 0 volts with points closed. If you have near 0 volts with points open check for short in distributor feed through or points/condenser mounting.

First, replace the plugs. You flooded it, they're fouled & it will be it next to impossible to start. You don't need to toss them; heat the tips for a few seconds w/ a propane torch to burn off the invisible spark-robbing deposits from today's additive filled gasoline........or wash them in brake cleaner.

Next, make sure you have a good spark. Some folks think that checking for spark means pulling a plug wire off & looking for one. Well, it's the distance the spark jumps at the plug that gives you the info you want. It takes about 17kv to jump a 3/16" gap & 22kv to jump ?? in the open air, so that's why you need to use a spark plug. Or, a store bought plug checker. Remember, it?s 14psi outside of the engine & about 90psi at a 6:1 compression ratio in the cylinders & compressed air creates electrical resistance, so you really need the 17-22kv to fire the plugs when the engine is running.

If it does not have a good spark, put your battery on a charger (see tip # 60) 6 volts isn't good enough; a fully charged battery will read 6.35 volts. At 6.03 volts, it's only at 25% capacity.

The usual cause of gas dripping out of the carb throat is operator error.

While each N has its own starting sequence, none of them will start well by just yanking out the choke rod & holding it out for 5 or 10 seconds while the engine cranks. This is a gravity fuel system on a low compression engine; it is easily flooded by too much choke.

Try this:

Key on, gas on 2 full turns, clutch in, 3/4 throttle, press the starter button. Let it crank for at least 3 - 4 seconds before you pull the choke rod. Then, don't hold it out for more than 2 or 3 seconds.
75 Tips

Side mount distributor. Positive ground battery. Wiring was replaced a couple of years ago. Starter cranks, just doesn't even try to start. Thanks for responding.

I got a plug tester, so I'll test the plugs to see if I have spark. I removed the drain plug from the bottom of the carb and had good flow with gas on 2 turns. I've got to drain the gas again as I now have a leak in the off-on screw of the sediment bowl. After I fix that I'll get back to testing for spark. Thanks for your help

Thanks, just not able to do that at this time.

It doesn't matter when the wiring was installed, best to verify there are no broken wires shorting to ground, firing order is correct, etc. Get the battery charged up again as it probably has worn down a bit by now with all the cranking. Get new plugs or as Bruce said, dry off/clean the existing ones. How does the new spark tester work? Plugs check good? Next is to check for spark per Bruce(VA)'s 75 tips. Have you done that yet? You want to check for spark when firing over, doesn't mean anything to just check a plug off the tractor. IF you have good spark, try to jump start with a 12-volt source, also in Bruce's tips.

Tim Daley(MI)