Carb, Points, or ??? (Front mount, 12V)

WarnerT · Apr 20, 2015

I'm starting a new thread because I think I have a new issue. Following my head gasket replacement, the engine is running significantly worse. I did check the cylinder compression and it actually improved from what it was before I removed the head.

1. 110
2. 105
3. 100
4. 100

My current symptoms are:
Hard starting
Stalling at idle and under load
Oil pressure is lower than it used to be at idle, it's fine at higher throttle (40psi) but it's 20 psi or less at idle - before it stalls that is.
There's also a LOT of popping and cracking which seems like it's running too lean.

So there's clearly a loss of power, I'm not sure if It's due to the head gasket job or if my carb or dist decided to turn on me too. I rebuilt the carb and the distributor last August but I've heard that the Tisco points I bought are poor quality and don't last long. Any thoughts on where to start based on these symptoms?

Den N Ms · Apr 20, 2015

WarnerT,Recheck your firing order #1-2-4-3 They are easy to get off and will still run with 2 wires switched,and will have low power.

You Say ,My current symptoms are:

Hard starting

Stalling at idle and under load
There's also a LOT of popping and cracking which seems like it's running too lean.

old · Apr 20, 2015

As Den say double check you have the firing order correct. Easy to mix up a couple plug wires when you have them all off. As for spark check it to make sure it is a good blue/white an will jump a 1/4 inch gap or more.

lha · Apr 21, 2015

Your oil pressure is fine,as many old tractors function well at 1/2 that much. The rest of your problems could be
eliminated with a careful and systematic diagnosis beginning with firing order,timing,etc. I follow the "free
first,then cheap,then when I find a problem,spend a little. With your compression #s,you should be able to get some
good power from it.

WarnerT · Apr 21, 2015

The firing order is correct, checked it last night.

I went through each plug to check for spark but I never really understood how to do see if it "jumps the 1/4 inch gap". The manual says use the plug wire but obviously that doesn't work with the rubber boot.

I took the wire, with plug connected and held the end of the plug close to the head while I cranked. Is this the 1/4" gap that it's supposed to jump? If so, I could only get it to jump 1/8" or less.

I have new Echlin points on the way so I'll pull the dist once they arrive. I like fixing things for free but I don't have time to tinker too much so I'd rather just fix what's wrong and be done with it.

souNdguy · Apr 21, 2015

if fire order is correct, and it is popping. check for lean, and reset timing when you do the points nad make sur ethe adv mech is moving freely.

20 psi oil pressure at hot idle is fine.

100ish psi compression is fine.

pikewi · Apr 21, 2015

Just take an old plug that you know is good and gap it to !/4" and try it in place of the one in yer tractor. See if the gap jumps with a nice bluish spark

Carb, Points, or ??? (Front mount, 12V)

WarnerT

Member

Den N Ms

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

lha

Well-known Member

WarnerT

Member

souNdguy

Well-known Member

pikewi

Member

Similar threads