John deere A problem

MikeinInd · Oct 9, 2012

I have a 1943 model A that I"m working on. The problem is that it doesn"t run quite like it should. It sounds like its running lean but almost like its only on the one cylinder. Adding some choke makes only a slight improvement. I wouldn"t think it is a carb issue because of that but it does take some time to get it to fire when trying to start it sometimes. It was stored for quite sometime before I got it so its quite possible that the carb is dirty. Spark looks pretty healthy to both sides. Thoughts? I hate to just throw money at it.

Resting Relics 1 · Oct 9, 2012

Mike,
I would check the mag. Sounds like weak spark to me. Coil in the mag may be tired. New points and condenser are needed also. I could be the carb but usually hard starting is a spark problem. Good Luck!
John

buickanddeere · Oct 9, 2012

Put it on a dyno and find out if it"s making power or not.
A two cylinder with an opposed crank and a single barrel carb . By design , it can not idle like a model 60.
JD went to a Duplex carb and head for a reason.
If the tractor is not using Autolote 3116 plug, solid core wires and the coolant temp isn"t 195F. It can"t idle even half decent. A cold engine won"t idle, simple.

Richard G. · Oct 9, 2012

An unstyled A will not idle smooth. Put it under load and see if it smooths out.
Richard

NoDakInMN · Oct 9, 2012

(quoted from post at 00:12:16 10/09/12) I have a 1943 model A that I"m working on. The problem is that it doesn"t run quite like it should. It sounds like its running lean but almost like its only on the one cylinder. Adding some choke makes only a slight improvement. I wouldn"t think it is a carb issue because of that but it does take some time to get it to fire when trying to start it sometimes. It was stored for quite sometime before I got it so its quite possible that the carb is dirty. Spark looks pretty healthy to both sides. Thoughts? I hate to just throw money at it.

If you think that it is only running on one cylinder, when it is running try pulling one plug wire off and see what happens. If there is no change, then that side is not firing, if it dies, the other side is not firing.

I have an A that was made in December of 1943 and after I got it it ran what I thought was OK until I took the carb off and cleaned it following the instructions from Robert's. Sure enough the "secret passage" was plugged. Now, even though the throttle and choke bushings are worn some as well as the plates, it runs and idles pretty sweet. Sweet enough, in fact, that it puts a little lead in my pencil every time I drive it.

MikeinInd · Oct 9, 2012

This is a styled tractor.

MikeinInd · Oct 9, 2012

Thanks, I'll check into carb. I plan on having the carb and mag done up by a pro at some point but that was a ways out yet.

Emmo213 · Oct 21, 2012

(quoted from post at 15:44:27 10/09/12)

I have an A that was made in December of 1943 and after I got it it ran what I thought was OK until I took the carb off and cleaned it following the instructions from Robert's. Sure enough the "secret passage" was plugged. Now, even though the throttle and choke bushings are worn some as well as the plates, it runs and idles pretty sweet. Sweet enough, in fact, that it puts a little lead in my pencil every time I drive it.

Sorry for perhaps an obvious question but can you please post a link to these carb cleaning instructions? Thanks.

John deere A problem

MikeinInd

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Resting Relics 1

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buickanddeere

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Richard G.

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NoDakInMN

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MikeinInd

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MikeinInd

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Emmo213

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