Farmer Foster
New User
Hi folks, I've been lurking on here a couple years, since I bought my '49 8n (front mount distributor, 6 volt), and have so far been able to solve everything that's come up, mostly from advice I've found here, Which is something as I didn't know a thing about anything engine related before buying this tractor. So thank you!
But now I'm stumped. Here's the story.
Basically, tractor won't start. Two weeks ago I ploughed up 2 acres, and things were running pretty well at first, but then started straining under load a bit. I got to discing and only managed once over and the struggling under load was getting worse. Points looked a bit fried so I replaced them (bought a kit with new spark plugs too). All new plug wires and wiring harness as of March.
I've got a steady flow of fuel through the bottom of the carbn(recently cleaned out) and compression is 100-85-95-105 dry. The 85 jumped to 100 with some oil.
Sparks look good and blue to my eyes, but then my eyes haven't seen a lot of spark. Starter is cranking as well as ever.
Generator recently crapped out (I took it apart and cleaned it out and re-affixed the broken A to F wire), and so battery was dying, which is what I was attributing the rough running to.
I set the points according to manual.
I've got a 12 volt conversion in the mail so as to not have to buy a new generator.
Now, I'm back to thinking I've got a weak battery (charges up to 6.5, was starting tractor fine two weeks ago. When cranking voltage drops to ~5.0 and holds there), although it's fairly new. Anything else I can do to test that other than take it in?
Also, the previous owner installed an ignition switch (picture below) that I think has a voltage leak. The neg battery terminal goes straight to the switch, and the switch then goes to the starter solenoid. I can't quite figure out the implications of this on the electrical system, but am suspicious. I'm getting .3 volts to the solenoid/coil with the switch OFF. I always unplug my battery. I intend to replace the switch, but wonder if I should rewire back to the original wiring, and what sort of switch I should buy. Everything else is rewired according to the wiring harness directions, although I had to run a wire from the bottom terminal to the top right terminal on the block in order to get voltage to the coil (picture below).
There's probably more I could tell you, and I know I could probably spend a couple more days reading advice on here and trying things out, but I'm now in a time crunch to get the field ready for planting so I thought I'd reach out. It could well be something obvious that my inexperience/ineptitude missed.
Thanks in advance!
Pardon for any screwups with the photo uploads.
But now I'm stumped. Here's the story.
Basically, tractor won't start. Two weeks ago I ploughed up 2 acres, and things were running pretty well at first, but then started straining under load a bit. I got to discing and only managed once over and the struggling under load was getting worse. Points looked a bit fried so I replaced them (bought a kit with new spark plugs too). All new plug wires and wiring harness as of March.
I've got a steady flow of fuel through the bottom of the carbn(recently cleaned out) and compression is 100-85-95-105 dry. The 85 jumped to 100 with some oil.
Sparks look good and blue to my eyes, but then my eyes haven't seen a lot of spark. Starter is cranking as well as ever.
Generator recently crapped out (I took it apart and cleaned it out and re-affixed the broken A to F wire), and so battery was dying, which is what I was attributing the rough running to.
I set the points according to manual.
I've got a 12 volt conversion in the mail so as to not have to buy a new generator.
Now, I'm back to thinking I've got a weak battery (charges up to 6.5, was starting tractor fine two weeks ago. When cranking voltage drops to ~5.0 and holds there), although it's fairly new. Anything else I can do to test that other than take it in?
Also, the previous owner installed an ignition switch (picture below) that I think has a voltage leak. The neg battery terminal goes straight to the switch, and the switch then goes to the starter solenoid. I can't quite figure out the implications of this on the electrical system, but am suspicious. I'm getting .3 volts to the solenoid/coil with the switch OFF. I always unplug my battery. I intend to replace the switch, but wonder if I should rewire back to the original wiring, and what sort of switch I should buy. Everything else is rewired according to the wiring harness directions, although I had to run a wire from the bottom terminal to the top right terminal on the block in order to get voltage to the coil (picture below).
There's probably more I could tell you, and I know I could probably spend a couple more days reading advice on here and trying things out, but I'm now in a time crunch to get the field ready for planting so I thought I'd reach out. It could well be something obvious that my inexperience/ineptitude missed.
Thanks in advance!
Pardon for any screwups with the photo uploads.