Farmall 400

xrcr · Apr 9, 2020

Tractor sits alot. Try to start every couple weeks. Have spark,Fuel, compression but can't get to
light.6v system cranks slow but if I have all of the above does that matter? Carb leaks out main
adjusting screw and weep hole in bottom. Stuck float? Dirty needle valve?Am I missing anything else?
Advice is appreciated.

jhncp · Apr 9, 2020

Full choke?

BarnyardEngineering · Apr 9, 2020

Does it run continuously out the drain or just after trying to start? Main adjusting screw leaking is not a good thing.

It's probably flooding.

Janicholson · Apr 9, 2020

The leakage is probably normal when the tractor is choked, and doesn't start. Two issues. Slow cranking is not a good prospect for starting. The voltage to the points and coil will be reduced and create a poor spark. Charges=d battery with enough crank amps is first. Next is fat battery cables with copper inside the size of a first grade pencil. 00gauge. next is sparkplugs that have been heated with a propane torch on a brick, (not concrete, it explodes from heat sometimes) heat them until the center electrode glows a little. This burns off conductive residue. Do the plug thing just before starting it. Jim

DeltaRed · Apr 9, 2020

another possibility is the starter may be dragging,needing rebuilt.That would make it crank slow,draw too many amps for the points to function.

xrcr · Apr 9, 2020

I only checked spark with key on and breaking pts not while actually cranking. My arms aren't quite long enough. Battery cables are OEM as far as I know. That's what was on it when it was bought in 1980.Leaks from bottom of carb after a bit so flooded is probably spot on. Main adjust screw doesn't drip but it is wet. I haven't used the choke cause it never really needed it unless it was really cold. I'm going to take the battery tender off and hit it with my 6v charger to see if helps the cranking and I know it's full charge. Can I disconnect the 6v battery and direct jump to the starter with a 12v for a few cranks? Got a long weekend so I'll dig into it some more. Thank you all

Janicholson · Apr 9, 2020

You don't need to disconnect anything. There is a jumper flat metal connector from the starter relay (solenoid) to the side terminal on the starter motor. It is just a few inches long. Use a good ground from a 12v battery to the frame and touch that connector with the other jumper to crank it. More: because you are next to the tractor, make triple sure you are in neutral. Block the clutch pedal down (reduces drag on the engine). Turn on the ignition. Touch the jumper.
Note 2: This completely removes the voltage from the jumper from the tractors ignition and lights. The only thing getting 12v is the starter motor alone. Starter motors like the ones on most old equipment do not care what polarity is applied, they still turn the same direction. So hooking it up negative ground is fine, or positive, makes no difference. I would warm the plugs as i indicated below. Jim

Farmall 400

xrcr

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jhncp

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BarnyardEngineering

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Janicholson

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DeltaRed

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xrcr

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Janicholson

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