NAA Idles fine buit won't take the gas

dyoungen

Member
I've got a 1954 NAA that uptill a couple of weeks ago ran fine. Then I went to cut the head high weeds and havn't been able to start it and keep it running yet. I've replaced the points, condenser cap and rotor and rebuilt the carb with an expensive rebuild kit from Tractor Supply. I wish I had looked around farther and gotten something a little cheaper. Anyway, I did all of the above and as of now she will idle fine. When I try to give her the gas she just dies and sometimes blows black smoke. One time I was able to give her the gas, wide open but after about 30 seconds, she died completely even though I put the hand throttle back to idle. She starts back up without any problems, just won't take the gas off idle. There's about 5 gallons of gas in the tank so I know she's not out of gas. Any ideas???
 
What is the quality of spark at the plugs?

Sounds like points may need checking again.The points have either drifted nearly closed or the rub block is worn. Adjust them back to spec. Its worth a try and costs nothing. That said, it could be other things too but you need to start somewhere.
 
If you are blowing black smoke you are too rich. Make sure the carb is set to factory settings. Gary (GB in MT) will have the specs for your carb. He will need to know what type.

You could start with the main jet (down pointing) at 2 turns out. Set the idle jet (side pointing) to 1 turn out and see what you get.

Idle jet is bass ackwards; in for rich, out for lean. Main jet is in for lean, out for rich.

Make sure the air cleaner is up to snuff. Not full of water, screens clean, not obstructions, fresh oil, etc.

Clean your plugs with propane torch and wire brush. They will get fouled very quickly running rich.

Check for good blue white spark at each plug. Need good spark to burn all that fuel. Dress/set points as needed.
 
The plugs are new. I reset the points after I ground the screw thickness holding the points in the Dist. It was making contact with the moving part of the points and I think it was shorting them out to begin with. When I pulled the carb apart the main jet, the one that sits front to back at a 45 degree angle was at 2 1/2 turns out so I started at 2 1/2 turns out and the idle screw on the side at 1 1/2 turns out. I'm going to reset the two mixture screws and try again as soon as I get outside. I checked the spark with a timing light I had used for timing my cars in the past and was only getting a spark once in a while so I checked the dist and found the screw holding the points at the adjusting end was being rubbed by the points as they moved back and forth. After I ground the screw down, I had a consistant spark.
 
Trouble shoot then parts not the other way around or you can/will cause your own problems.
#1 you need a good blue/white spark that jumps a 1/4 inch gap or more.
#2 you need to have a good steady flow of gas out the carb drain plug for a few minutes. Catch the gas to look for dirt/water etc.
#3 When was the last time you checked the air cleaner and emptied out the dirt and water that is common to find in them
 
Sounds like you may have a clogged fuel line between the gas tank and the carb. Check your fuel filters,..i.e. the glass cup that has a shut off and the screen inside the gas tank.
Also, as other posts have said,check your air line and air filter to the carb. Could be it is clogged with that head high grass you cut,..thus restricting air flow and the carb"s ability to breath.
 
(quoted from post at 12:48:31 07/26/13) The plugs are new. I reset the points after I ground the screw thickness holding the points in the Dist. It was making contact with the moving part of the points and I think it was shorting them out to begin with. When I pulled the carb apart the main jet, the one that sits front to back at a 45 degree angle was at 2 1/2 turns out so I started at 2 1/2 turns out and the idle screw on the side at 1 1/2 turns out. I'm going to reset the two mixture screws and try again as soon as I get outside. I checked the spark with a timing light I had used for timing my cars in the past and was only getting a spark once in a while so I checked the dist and found the screw holding the points at the adjusting end was being rubbed by the points as they moved back and forth. After I ground the screw down, I had a consistant spark.
b:71fbba9652][i:71fbba9652]

Sounds to me like an advance weight problem!!... (not advancing the timing, so will only run @ idle)
You may think...you have NEW spark plugs....but blowing black smoke, tells me you have contaminated/sooty plugs NOW!!! Yer gonna have to pull and clean, each and every plug, before they will fire hot enough, to run that engine.!!!

1954 NAA...134CI engine, should have a TSX428 or a TSX580 carb.!!!
Initial setting should be 1 Turn out on the side pointing idle/air adj. screw, and 1 1/2 turn out for the main fuel adj needle.....start at full idle....let the engine warm up to op. temp....then, adjust the idle air screw, IN to get the highest smooth idle!!!! (1/8th turn at a time....listen for highest RPM)
After you check the engine running at idle....THEN you can set the main adj fuel, for max. fuel needed to run the engine @ full running under load!!!!

Ya want more help????? I can try to give it to you, but DO NOT REPLACE any more parts, until you find out for sure what is causing the problem.!!!!

My email button is always open on the modern side of this forum.....at the bottom of this reply,....poke the email button and shoot me an email with your pho# in it.
I'll call you and we can go from there!!!

Gary (GB in MT)[/i:71fbba9652][/b:71fbba9652]
 
How did you adjust the carburetor? Nothing to that statement about backing out the main adjustment screw 1-1/2 turns and leave it..Try unscrewing the main adjustment screw 1/4 turn more and see what happens.
 
I had same problem with Tractor supply ignition parts for my NAA, so I threw them in the trash and filed the old points and they work fine. The Dist. cap did not fit also , so I threw it away too......don't buy engine parts from TSC !
If every thing else suggesteted here checks out, try removing the carb. main nozzle (part #9530) and clean tiny holes with fine wire and high-pressure air jet, as well as the passage in the carb. body below the nozzle.......that was the fix for my NAA with similar sickness.
 
[b:51b0720d39][i:51b0720d39]

Well guys;.......I was gonna wait with this report, but I see that , after a couple of phone conversations, with DY, and having him pull the carb drain plug......the carb is only getting just enough fuel to Idle, and Dennis, is prob. out there right now, investigating the fuel lines, and filters!!!!
Here's hoping that the tank liner that was installed, has not broken down, and plugged up the filters and or lines!!!
If that is the case.....he stated that he knows the first place he will be going today.....(I would not want to be the one, he will be YELLING at for that!!!)

I have not heard back from him yet, this morning, but looks like he has now found the problem, and may have it running today!!!

Gary :roll: [/i:51b0720d39][/b:51b0720d39]
 

A special THANKS to GB IN MT. I just got off the tractor after bush hogging everything in site. After trying everything GB had a few ideas that filled the bill but the best idea was the spark plugs. Yes I bought them within the last 2 or 3 weeks and they didn't have any time on them but after GB found out they were resister plugs he said that might be the main problem. The plugs were "R45", I forget the maker but after I pulled them out and put the "AUTOLIGHT 437" in, she started right up. I only made very minor changes and that was after I hit the 7' tall johnson grass. It's been raining around here in Georgia so everything is growing more than enough. Thanks to every body for your help and ideas, you did help and especially GB in MT who saved the day for me!!!:)
 
[b:b41d308232][i:b41d308232]
Dennis;
Nice write-up and up-date. Just happy to have helped ya get the tractor running again!!!
You must have been a brush-hoggin fool, to get what you had to cut down. You and I talked last, about 11 AM, and you did all that and posted this @ 2:30 PM???? You really got after it!!!

Anytime ya need help.....just holler at me! I'll help ya, if I can!!!

Gary :wink: [/i:b41d308232][/b:b41d308232]
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top