Gas Problem?? Ford 8N

I"m back... Well, she was running pretty decent and all of a sudden now she struggles to stay running. Then after a couple minutes it might clear up and run well for a couple minutes, then back and forth. More bad than good. I"ve attached two videos, as I think that"ll explain more than my typing.

I suspect debris in the gas. I have some specks of stuff in the glass bowl, and have to imagine there is debris throughout the fuel line potentially as well. I had a freshly rebuilt carb that started leaking fuel, so that is partly what I"m basing this on. I was hoping I could just "run it out" and it would clear up, maybe I"m naive.

I"ve replaced/rebuilt a lot on this tractor recently. Engine, distributor, governor, wiring, but doesn"t mean it couldn"t be bad already somehow.

Only other things I could think of, perhaps carb not sealed well to manifold, perhaps manifold not sealed well to block (around the 4th cylinder). Sometimes playing with choke seems to help, sometimes doesn't seem like it does anything. I also saw a little oil in the distributor, not sure if that"s normal or not.

52 8N side mount.

Question is, what should I tinker with next to try to fix, any ideas?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS3mjYGi90w
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y41EQfLMBE4
Untitled URL Link

Are all your screens in place. There are 3 of them, one at carb elbow, one above glass bowl on sediment bulb and one in tank around the input to sediment bulb.
Does it do it when you are open to the reserve tank or just out 2 turns on fuel shutoff.
I would suspect sediment also. I think you need to check all three screens, also take apart the sediment bulb, back out the knob and then back out the packing nut and pull the stem out and make sure all passages are clear,
I just had a similar problem and found crud around the sediment bulb intake.. Mine only did it when I was on reserve tank.

Thanks TJ. So, sounds like a fuel issue huh. I can't recall seeing a screen at the elbo, and I've taken it apart a few times lately as I have two carbs and will flip flop them around hoping one is working! The other two are new (20 hours) but could certainly still be gunked up.

I probably need to clean the tank, etc, to at least eliminate that variable. I'll google around on that one.

Or... do you think the junk would work itself out? I added about a half ounce of ATF to full tank, hoping that would help clear stuff out.

Also, forgot to mention, I removed the carb drain screw, and I have consistent flow. But, as its off and on, maybe if I drain it for a long time, it'll hickup, hmmmm

If you (or anyone) thinks it could be something non-fuel related, lemme know!

I really don't think the gunk will work it self out. I don't know what the ATF would do for gunk in tank, I think that is more to provide upper cylinder lube to rings and valves. It could be your float valve is sticking closed, intermittently allowing flow, may have been open when you had your drain plug off. Float could be sticking or rubbing the side of carb housing.
You may want to ask the question down on the 2N 9N 8N board. There is a lot of knowledge there about the Ford N series tractors there.

Hard to tell from the video, could be fuel or intermittent spark.

Try easing the coil wire out just enough to see and hear the spark but keep the engine running. See if the spark is steady or gets weak/stops when the engine begins to die. Could be loose connection in the distributor, bad/dirty points, bad/loose condenser, excessive wear in the shaft bushings, etc.

What is the exhaust doing when it runs this way? Black smoke is flooding. Eye burning, raw gas smell is ignition.

If the carb is contaminated with trash, it can cause 2 different problems. Trash holding the needle/seat open will cause flooding. Trash in the bowl can get sucked into the main and idle jets causing too lean.

Don't be afraid of the carb, they're simple to open and clean. If there is debris in the bowl, take the tank off, clean it out, look it over inside. If it's shedding rust, either replace it or get it lined. Be sure all the screens are in place. Inline filters are not recommended, too much resistance for a gravity flow system.

This doesn't sound like a vacuum leak (the leak around the manifold or carb) That would be a continuous miss or lean condition. If there are vacuum leaks, they need to be repaired, but that's not your main problem now.

I agree that it sounds like you need to clean the tank. I have had good success cleaning them by siphoning.

Thanks y'all.

As for exhaust, didn't notice anything different. Except for one loud backfire, but just the once.

I'll fiddle with carb, tank, and distrib. Just rebuild the distrib, so perhaps I didn't tighten something enough, etc.

Appreciate all the help pointing me in a direction!

-Matt

I think I found the problem. Replaced the condenser and was running decent again. Still not perfect. I noticed oil in the distributor before. Then I noticed it again. Then after replacing condenser and looking again oil was everywhere (splashed all around). So, going to try to fix that. Will start another thread as I have some distrib questions I can't find answers too online.

The distrib rotor was also cutting a groove in the little connector thingamajigs.