Oliver 70 won t start

Reinventedrust · Mar 8, 2020

I recently inherited an Oliver 70 that was in the process of restoration but has sat for YEARS. He had it running after a rebuild and used to start it up on occasion but bad health had prevented that for a long time though not sure exactly how long.
I put a fresh battery in and without even trying the fuel system yet, I know it needs cleaned, tried to see if I can get her to go with a touch of ether. No luck. I ve since replaced the coil, tube up kit, and plug wires because the spark was weak even tough all those parts were new when done back in the day. I get an occasional pop but nothing else. I know I won t get her to run run till I get the fuel system cleaned but I should be able to get her to sputter a bit on ether. What might I be missing that would cause her to to at least show me she willing to run?
Thanks in advance for any advice!

flying belgian · Mar 8, 2020

Points.

Steve@Advance · Mar 8, 2020

Check for spark at the plug end of each wire. It needs a 1/4" spark to ground to reliably start.

Double check the points, the gap, the connections. Many times new points need to be cleaned before they will make good connection. Try some contact cleaner, brake or carb cleaner, blot them with a paper business card.

It may have stuck valves from storage. A quick test, disconnect and ground the coil wire, remove the air cleaner hose, hold your hand tightly over the air inlet of the carb.

Spin the engine through, you should get a strong steady vacuum aaand a hand wet with gas.

If no vacuum, or intermittent vacuum, it had valve problems.

If good vacuum and no gas, the carb is clogged or no fuel coming down from the tank.

Olliejunkie · Mar 8, 2020

I wouldn't use ether for anything more than seeing if it fires. Make a temporary tank if you dont want to clean it. A compression tester will tell you alot.

led · Mar 9, 2020

Replace coil.
Led

dzc3 · Mar 9, 2020

Tractor sets for YEARS, IMHO first thing that should be done is remove spark plugs and squirt oil on top of those dry pistons, remove valve cover to make sure valves are not stuck. Then rock engine gently by hand if possible to make sure everything moves as it should. Then worry about gas and spark.

Reinventedrust · Mar 9, 2020

(quoted from post at 20:52:21 03/08/20) Check for spark at the plug end of each wire. It needs a 1/4" spark to ground to reliably start.

Double check the points, the gap, the connections. Many times new points need to be cleaned before they will make good connection. Try some contact cleaner, brake or carb cleaner, blot them with a paper business card.

It may have stuck valves from storage. A quick test, disconnect and ground the coil wire, remove the air cleaner hose, hold your hand tightly over the air inlet of the carb.

Spin the engine through, you should get a strong steady vacuum aaand a hand wet with gas.

If no vacuum, or intermittent vacuum, it had valve problems.

If good vacuum and no gas, the carb is clogged or no fuel coming down from the tank.

I tried the old points first but filed them quick before I did but ended up just getting a new tune up kit, coil, and wires just to be safe. And yes contact cleaner is the way to go.
I m kind of leaning toward the stuck valve thought right now though. Since it was in his garage the whole time I honestly didn t think that was going to be a huge issue. I will pull the plugs and check to see if it looks like there is condensation in them. Then I will check the valves using your method.
If they are stuck what is the best, least invasive way to go about getting them freed up? I really don t want to have to tear it all down if not needed.
Thanks again in advance.

Steve@Advance · Mar 9, 2020

If it has stuck valves, take the valve cover off, look for the stuck ones, that will be open and not moving.

Spray some penetrating oil between the spring coils onto the stem, above the guide, let it soak if possible.

Then try lightly tapping down on the spring retainer, sometimes that will shock it loose.

If that doesn't work, try prying between the spring coils to force it closed. Then try prying it open to free it. Just be careful not to bend the stem or release the keepers.

Also check for bent pushrods.

And do give each cylinder a squirt of oil to lube the rings.

showcrop · Mar 9, 2020

(quoted from post at 23:16:06 03/08/20) Replace coil.
Led

led, the OP has already told us that he has replaced the coil.

showcrop · Mar 9, 2020

As OllieJunkie said a compression tester will tell you a lot and they are not expensive.

Russ from MN · Mar 9, 2020

I second what dzc3 said, get some oil in it on top of the pistons! INMHO ether is only for diesel engines without glow plugs! I prime with 40-1 mixed gas, so it gets some lubrication.

dzc3 · Mar 9, 2020

I worked on a John Deere A with a stuck valve. I did what Steve advises, kept spraying it with PB Blaster for a couple of days, then used a air chisel with blunt tool, against the block. The vibration backed the valve up. Might be worth a try.

55 50 Ron · Mar 9, 2020

It's painted the wrong color !!! A few people will know exactly what I mean by that.

Reinventedrust · Mar 9, 2020

Update. Found two stuck valves on cylinder 3 and a couple kind of sticky ones on other cylinders. Currently soaking with PB blaster and added s bit of oil to get the rings back conditioned as well. Hoping this will be pretty painless and go smooth. I ll update again later.
Thanks again y all for your help!

showcrop · Mar 9, 2020

(quoted from post at 15:07:54 03/09/20) It's painted the wrong color !!! A few people will know exactly what I mean by that.

Ron, I agree. Mine is a darker green, but, don't forget that we see plenty of pink Farmalls, as well as JDs that should be a lot darker.

Olliejunkie · Mar 9, 2020

(quoted from post at 18:52:31 03/09/20)

(quoted from post at 15:07:54 03/09/20) It's painted the wrong color !!! A few people will know exactly what I mean by that.

Click to expand...

Ron, I agree. Mine is a darker green, but, don't forget that we see plenty of pink Farmalls, as well as JDs that should be a lot darker.

The fenders look pretty close. Looks like a decent 70 overall.

Olliejunkie · Mar 9, 2020

Glad you're getting it figured out. Hope you have a good running 70 when you're done.

Rich'sToys · Mar 9, 2020

(quoted from post at 07:38:59 03/09/20) I second what dzc3 said, get some oil in it on top of the pistons! INMHO ether is only for diesel engines without glow plugs! I prime with 40-1 mixed gas, so it gets some lubrication.

I'm surprised Old hasn't weighed in yet. He is an advocate of putting ATF in each cylinder and letting them soak a while. I have done that and it does work.

Rich'sToys · Mar 9, 2020

(quoted from post at 21:05:15 03/09/20)

(quoted from post at 18:52:31 03/09/20)

(quoted from post at 15:07:54 03/09/20) It's painted the wrong color !!! A few people will know exactly what I mean by that.

Click to expand...

Ron, I agree. Mine is a darker green, but, don't forget that we see plenty of pink Farmalls, as well as JDs that should be a lot darker.

Click to expand...

The fenders look pretty close. Looks like a decent 70 overall.

Ron may have been referring to this tractor. There is a story behind it which I won't go into here.

Reinventedrust · Mar 10, 2020

(quoted from post at 15:07:54 03/09/20) It's painted the wrong color !!! A few people will know exactly what I mean by that.

We know. He painted it over a large span of years and it s actually a couple different colors. That s to come later.

Oliver 70 won t start

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