1951 8n wont start

78camaro327 · Aug 25, 2013

I have a 1951 8n. I redid the entire wiring, replaced the cap, rotor, points, wires, plugs, rad, hoses, belt, guages.... basically everything.
Now, I have spark, i have good compression across the board, i have fuel going to the carb, and a brand new battery... but it wont fire up.
If i spray ether it will bang out from one cylinder and thats it. Im using hei wires and i do get spark.
Any ideas? ive been trying for weeks to get this to start.

Indiana Ken · Aug 25, 2013

I am assuming this tractor ran before you did all the work. Since you replaced the plug wires - you might check to make sure each wire is routed to the correct spark plug. If you had the distributor out - then you should also check to insure it is timed correctly.

R Geiger · Aug 25, 2013

Firing order from front to back, 1,2,4,3.

78camaro327 · Aug 25, 2013

no it didnt run, i pulled the head off and cleaned out the cylinders, because they were nasty and 2 were rusty and one had a stuck valve. now they compression up good. I didnt take the distributor out.

Bill Rowles · Aug 26, 2013

Problem has to be ignition system if it won't run on starting fluid spray and if the air filter and muffler are not plugged up with wasp nests or mouse treasures that restrict air flow in and out. Do more trouble shooting or get some help if you are not able to use electrical test equipment (or don't have it).

Charner MS · Aug 26, 2013

Try loosening the 1/2 nut under the distributor and while cranking move the dist. back and forth slowly using the oil tube.

DollarBill · Aug 27, 2013

Since you didn't remove the distributor, I'm wondering if you re-plugged the plug wires on the cap 180 degrees off.

The side mount has two sets of timing marks - You want the ones the indicate cylinder number one is coming up on the compression stroke. As RG pointed out, firing order is from front to back, 1,2,4,3.

Remove your number one spark plug; put your finger over the spark plug hole and bring the piston toward TDC on the compression stroke. (You'll feel compression with your finger)

Remove the wire that goes from the coil to the side of the distributor. Move it aside being certain that it doesn't contact a ground on the tractor.

Connect one lead of an analog volt ohm meter to ground and the other to the post sticking out the side of the distributor.

With the VOM set to read resistance - Turn the flywheel to 4 BTDC and rotate the distributor back and forth. The needle will bounce when the points make contact. You want the distributor set to where the points just begin to open.

Tighten the distributor clamp; reconnect the coil to distributor wire and you should be about as close to perfect timing as you can get.

78camaro327 · Aug 27, 2013

thanks, i will have to give that a shot. Thats the best advice ive gotten in a long time

ill let you know how it goes.

1951 8n wont start

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Indiana Ken

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Bill Rowles

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