Hard starting

macau1

New User
Still having trouble with my 8N. Hard starting!!! front Dis. 1950 yr. understand; I have very good spark at each plug, carb. is good. gas is getting to each plugs, no short in Elec. sys. new points @ condenser, Dis. has good bushing, compression is 124 at each cyl. Exhaust manifold does not leak.Tractor runs great when I do finale do get it running. Only change sense this problem started is I had the Head milled 30 thousand. Could it have to much compression affecting the spark????. Thanks for any help;
 
(quoted from post at 13:35:05 10/31/14) Still having trouble with my 8N. Hard starting!!! front Dis. 1950 yr. understand; I have very good spark at each plug, carb. is good. gas is getting to each plugs, no short in Elec. sys. new points @ condenser, Dis. has good bushing, compression is 124 at each cyl. Exhaust manifold does not leak.Tractor runs great when I do finale do get it running. Only change sense this problem started is I had the Head milled 30 thousand. Could it have to much compression affecting the spark????. Thanks for any help;
o. what does plug gap measure, now? I'm not asking what you set it to.
 
macau1........ummm, you do know the 4-nipple front mount dizzy is designed to be removed from the engine and the points set/adjusted (0.015") on the kitchen table, don't you? Just un-snapple the capple and walk.

Having the head milled 0.030" is kinda drastic; really warped, eh?

As a general rule, increasing yer compression requires HOTTER sparkies. The 4-nipple squarecan coil is NOT that hot. That is the reason for the "infamous" ballast resistor. Hotter sparkies at starting time.

BTW, we recommend AutoLite 437's gapped 0.025".

Iff'n you really did mill yer flathead 0.030", check that you don't squeeze the sparkie ground lever closed. There ain't much space between the sparkie hole and the engine valves.

Iff'n you are really bending/closing the sparkie arm, try Champion H-10's. They don't have extended nose like the AutoLites do. .......sparkmeister Dell
 
" very good spark at each plug"

Does it jump a 1/4" gap in open air?

" gas is getting to each plugs"

How do you know that?

Are the plugs wet?

6v or 12v?
75 Tips
 
It is possible to snuff the spark out, its rare
but can happen. I think it happened to me but I
have no way of knowing. My 8N s/m dist ran
great. Went out one day no go. I did all my
trouble shooting and everything was where it
was suppose to be doing what it was supposed
to. After 3 hrs of cranking and -recharging 2
batteries it took off and has never missed a
beat. I dont know what got it running and will
never know. My buddy who has forgot more then
10 people know after it took off said that was
the possibility or some bad fuel we just kept
trying and that is my only advice if you know
everything is where it is supposed to be and
doing its thing. I dont know if the shaved head
could snuff your fire or not. Let others post
somebody here will know.
 
I thought mine was pretty finicky. I switched it to 12 volt and
haven't even used the choke in years. Even below zero. Try
jumping 12 volts to the starter to get it to spin fast. It will draw
fuel so much better and off it will go.
 
Pulled each plug to check to make sure it had gas on it. opened spare plug about 1/8 inch, pulled each wire checked for spark,(white fire), has 12volt system.
 
" Pulled each plug to check to make sure it had gas on it."

Well, you've found the problem.

The plugs are not supposed to be wet. You flooded it.

" opened spare plug about 1/8 inch, pulled each wire checked for spark,(white fire),"

That not a very good way to check for spark.

If you don’t own a spark checker w/ an adjustable gap, buy one. In the meantime, an old spark plug w/ the gap opened to at least ¼” will work. Ground it to a rust & paint free spot on the engine turn the key on & look for a spark.

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. A store bought plug checker will work better than an old plug because it won’t shock the snot out of you like an old plug might!

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 lacquer thinner.

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.

Post back with results or more questions.
75 Tips
 
yeah Bob........I'm haffin' problems with'n my midlife crisis. I'm loosin' brake fluid somewharr. Haffin' to drag m'heels to stop. (that why they put them BIG heels on those cowboy boots that I wear, eh?) What kinn I doo yew ferr???........Dell

Was watchin' the lava flow on the BIG island of Hawaii, thinkin' of our mutual firefighter friend near Pahoho above South Point tracking station I worked at back in '65-66. I still have some of his chocolate Macadamia nut cookies.
 
(quoted from post at 23:38:14 10/31/14) yeah Bob........I'm haffin' problems with'n my midlife crisis. I'm loosin' brake fluid somewharr. Haffin' to drag m'heels to stop. (that why they put them BIG heels on those cowboy boots that I wear, eh?) What kinn I doo yew ferr???........Dell

Was watchin' the lava flow on the BIG island of Hawaii, thinkin' of our mutual firefighter friend near Pahoho above South Point tracking station I worked at back in '65-66. I still have some of his chocolate Macadamia nut cookies.
Dell, if you still have cookies from '65-66, you may want to soak
them in milk for a few days before trying to eat them! ;)
 

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