8N is tough to start

My 1951 8N has been started and run a least once a week for the past 12 years...until now. I went to start her up and she cranks over, but will NOT catch. Immediately upon cranking, i smell gasoline. Thus far, i have checked the points (correctly gapped), checked the spark plug wires and coil wire, checked the spark to the plugs (looks good) and made sure that the spark plugs were dry and correctly gapped. When i previously had this issue once, the culprit was a wire that came off the fuse block when i hooked up the battery. That wire is not the issue today. Does anyone have any ideas?
 
You say spark looks good but is it a blue/white spark that will jump a 1/4 inch gap at all 4 plug wires?? What do the spark plugs look like?? Not to long ago I put new plugs in a hard starting tractor and it starts super good now. I have switched to NGK3112 plugs and they seem to be very good
 
" fuse block" ? It didn't come with a fuse block. Are you looking at the resistor?

Is your tractor 6v or 12v?

Front or side distributor?
75 Tips
 
This is a 12v system that was installed prior to my ownership of the tractor. There is a fuseblock...very unorthodox...i posted a picture of it several months ago and no one had ever seen anything like it before.

I don't know the difference between side mount and front mount. A quick google search of those terms does not give a definitive answer as to what each looks like.

I can take a picture and post it though if that would help.
 
I have Autolite 437's at the moment. Spark looks strong at all four wires. Plugs are about 6 months old and look great
 
here is a pic of the distributor

<image src="http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/photos/mvphoto28318.jpg"/>

<image src="http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/photos/mvphoto28319.jpg"/>
 
If my dist cap looks like yours I would replace it. It could be shorting out. I just put a new one on my 50 side mount which yours is by the way. My local NAPA dealer carries them in stock.
Also it looks like you plug wires are wrapped in tape. I would replace them as well.
 
(quoted from post at 01:17:34 09/28/15) here is a pic of the distributor

&lt;image src="http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/photos/mvphoto28318.jpg"/&gt;

&lt;image src="http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/photos/mvphoto28319.jpg"/&gt;

Looks like your fuse block looks like a resistor for the 12 volt mod. I would get rid of the resistor and install a true 12 volt coil.
 
Your is a side mount distributor. A front mount you can not change the point on with out either removing the hood and radiator or you have to pull the distributor off. Also the side mount has a 5 nipple cap and a front mount ha a 4 nipple cap.
As for you tapping the carb and it started that says the float was sticking closed so no gs in the carb and no gas means no run.
 
" .very unorthodox..."

That's for sure.

I guess if it works, leave it be.

Problem is, if you ever have an electrical problem, you're on your own.

That's a side mount distributor.

No telling what that resistor is for. Might be for the coil or lights. Maybe both.
75 Tips
 
Top one is more than likely a IC13 commonalty used on Chrysler ignition systems.

Below that is a Double Row Terminal Block 8)
It has some sort of wire-wound resister connected to the Double Row Terminal Block.

I will take luck any day...
 
luck is good.
But, your tractor/carb are talking to ya.
They always seem to whisper a few times before they start outright yelling :)
Might be time to go thru things a little.

If you have recently, might be just one of those carb things.
I have one Zenith that has been gone thru...repeatedly...
all is pristine.
But its needle sticks closed...when it feels like it.
a whack will get it going, but I hate doing that..especially when I have to use a rock! And I [i:8c8f3b682e]really[/i:8c8f3b682e] hate letting a starter turn too long.
All my tractors where it is possible, get a carb drain valve.
no issues, no surprises, instant check on gas...and no whacks with rocks. lol
c51341.jpg

pic copied from someone here, didn't want to link his stuff..thanks
 

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