D17 Timing

Luke470 · Nov 23, 2016

Having a heck of a time with timing on my D17.

Bought it last year had points ran great.
Couple months ago i left the ignition on and fried the points.

Its a 12v positive generator.

Decided to switch to electric ignition.
Had to adjust the timing a hair to get it running but nothing drastic.

Then after sitting a couple weeks it wouldnt start kept backfiring. Had to turn the distributer probably a quarter turn but then it ran good and strong.

Now, a couple weeks later, it wont start again and backfires.

So it seems that it keeps jumping out of time.

The previous ownervsaid the owner before had gone through the engine with the intention of making it a pulling tractor if that would have anything to do with anything.

Any guesses would be appreciated!!!!

DrAllis · Nov 23, 2016

Remove the distributer cap and make note of exactly where the rotor tip is pointing. Remove the dist from the engine and check the drive gear teeth on the bottom of it. Old D-17's have to have oil in that gear cavity to lube the gears. Seems like after all these years everyone has forgotten that. That's where I'd be looking first.

Hoenes · Nov 23, 2016

Doctor, I hate to butt in on Luke's thread, but I have always been very
impressed with your extensive knowledge of "ALL" AC products. Were you a dealer
mechanic, or a dealership owner? Once again, "hats off" to your contributions
to this particular section of YT.

Brian G. NY · Nov 23, 2016

(quoted from post at 23:24:02 11/23/16) Remove the distributer cap and make note of exactly where the rotor tip is pointing. Remove the dist from the engine and check the drive gear teeth on the bottom of it. Old D-17's have to have oil in that gear cavity to lube the gears. Seems like after all these years everyone has forgotten that. That's where I'd be looking first.

Doc, as usual you got it!
When I first got my D-17 I discovered the dist. gear was worn badly and I replaced it.
After going thru the manual, I found the section relating to keeping oil in that cavity. There is an 1/8" plug around behind the distributor housing and the level is supposed to be maintained at 1-5/8" from the top with 20W oil. Shortly after that, I had to fix a "blown" governor and replaced all the bearings and seals in the P.S. pump at the same time. I suspect oil had been somehow been leaking out of a bad seal.
Since that time I check the oil in there every now and again and so far I have not had to add any.

4wdtom · Nov 24, 2016

I have had several distributor drives apart and they have had grease in them. Sometimes old dry
grease which I have cleaned out and replaced with fresh grease. In fact one Farmall A was dry and
rusty and the gear teeth were worn out and it would skip time but it had the remains of grease. The
D-17 is different? I have oiled the distributor bushings through the 1/8 npt plug in the side of
the distributor and lubed the bushings in the drive with oil through the 1/8 npt plug in that, but
as I said the actual gear boxes have had grease. But I haven't worked on anything new like a D-17.
Just for general knowledge I would be interested to know. Thanks.

DrAllis · Nov 24, 2016

This situation only involves the older D-17 tractors that had the power steering pump as part of the governor drive. Newer models that had the belt driven pump above the generator are not affected by this. Any of those older models that have the tachometer cable, usually leak the oil out over time. If one checks the oil regularly and refills it, no problem. I have packed a few in gun grease for the owner who I knew would never check the oil.

Luke470 · Nov 26, 2016

Thanks much for the replies!
Can the gear at the bottom of the distributer be removed?
And any tips on where to get one?

D17 Timing

Luke470

Member

DrAllis

Well-known Member

Hoenes

Member

Brian G. NY

Well-known Member

4wdtom

Well-known Member

DrAllis

Well-known Member

Luke470

Member

Similar threads