43 ford 2n won't start!

Rbennette

New User
I have a 43 ford 2n, can not get it to start without putting my hand over the intake on the carb, has great spark ,I did a complete carb rebuild have my idle screw set at 3/4 and my main needle set at 1 3/4 turns, checked the manifold gaskets for leaks even converted it to a 12v system thinking it wasn't getting enough revolutions to pull fuel, did a compression test and I'm at 90 psi on the dot, the onlly thing i can think of is that ots missing the original air breather but my grandfather ran it for years with a make shift one so not sure if I'm missing somthing
 
Does it have a choke?

How did you test for spark?

Have you tried starting fluid?

Did you replace the throttle bushing?

Did you soak the carb in a caustic cleaner
then blow out all the carb passages with
compressed air and run wire through them?
If not, then you just replaced parts.

Post back with more information please.
75 Tips
 
Yes it has a choke won't start with that, put the spark plug on one of the head studs has a nice thick blue spark, starting fluid doesn't seem to work witch is weird to me, Iv tried everything you posted except for the throttle bushing were is that located on the throttle?
 
" put the spark plug on one of the head studs has a nice thick blue spark,"

That only tells you that you have spark. It does not tell you how strong the spark is; it needs to jump 1/4" in open air. (see tip # 13) 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 ?? will work. Ground it to a rust & paint free spot on the engine turn the key on & look for a spark.

" were is that located on the throttle"

That's a classic spot for it to leak air. The bushing/seal is in the carb body where the throttle linkage attaches. Get a hand propane torch and carefully spray it (unlit of course) around the intake manifold at the carb to manifold interface & the manifold to block gasket of the tractor while it is running. Or, you can use carb cleaner or WD40. If it speeds up, you found the leak. Sometimes (rarely) manifolds crack or get rust holes.

Lastly, when all else fails, you could have an air leak around the carb metering section. The likely suspects are leaky throttle shaft seals and/or a worn throttle shaft.

Did you set the timing?

Replaced the points lately?

What gap?
75 Tips
 
I'm leaning more t words an air leak somewhere, because you can turn that thing over all day and pull the plugs and there dry, but if you put your hand over the carb it will fire up, I'm gonna try to spray around with some wd-40 while it's running when I get home and see what happens
 

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