TO-30 starts fine, then skips, surges and quits

AdkDon

New User
Original owner of a Harry Ferguson TO-30AB, bought in 1951; Serial # 118384; Engine Z129 3J9571

Need help troubleshooting this problem:
Ran fine in the past and this summer until recently; mowing fields with bush hog, hauling things in trailer, etc
Now, it starts all right, runs 5-20 minutes, then starts skipping, surges, and quits
Choke can keep it marginally running briefly; can restart after 1-2 hours
When running, it responds well to governor control
Have used non-ethanol gas since it became available here a few years ago

Recent maintenance to track this down -
Cleaned outside of radiator; fuel sediment bowl; air screen
Checked generator, battery
Changed spark plugs
The exhaust is not clogged; the manifold seems quite hot

Other parts replaced in past few years -
Water pump, 2017; also filtered the antifreeze then
Starting motor, 2016
Fan belt, 2017
Condensor, nor sure when

Thanks in advance!
 
When it quits, remove the drain plug at the carb and see if it flows a nice steady stream, maybe a pint in a minute.
Can even do that before it has even been running.

Another thing to check when it quits, loosen the gas cap and listen for air rushing in. Vent for fuel tank may not be
working.
 
Start by checking fuel flow through the filter areas. There should be one at the bottom of the tank (glass bowl with screen) and a screen at the inlet to the carburetor behind the elbow. Many people do not realize there is a screen at the carburetor inlet and over time it will collect material and reduce the fuel flow.
 
when it quits, do you have spark?
Spark from coil?
Spark out of dist cap?
Spark cold and not hot could also be a failing ign coil.
You can also check voltage going to the coil. A bad ign switch can also cause erratic problems.
 
I would also add to check the stand pipe in the bottom of the gas tank, sometimes if those break off/ rot away, then junk gets clogged up. You can check this by taking off the gas tank cap, grab a flash light and look into the tank at an angle. If you don t see a screen sticking up from the bottom of the tank, replace the sediment bowl. If choking the tractor, while it s acting up, keeps it going a little longer then I would say it s in the fuel delivery.
I also would check and make sure your fuel lines aren t too close to the exhaust manifold, that can cause a vacuum lock. These are gravity fed and with the placement of the fuel line so close to the manifold it s prone to this, if the line gets moved or replaced and not put back in its rightful place.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions - still checking things out. It's definitely heat related, as it runs fine for a while in the barn and then fails.
 
Not sure what you are saying. If the serial number is 118384 that is a 1953 Ferguson TO 30. You are showing TO-30AB, what is that AB suppose to be? Never seen that before.
 
(quoted from post at 16:07:40 08/11/19) Not sure what you are saying. If the serial number is 118384 that is a 1953 Ferguson TO 30. You are showing TO-30AB, what is that AB suppose to be? Never seen that before.

Rechecked my father's notes and bill of sale - yes, it's a 1953 Ferguson TO 30, and I don't know why he wrote the AB at some point. Will edit my original post.
 
After noticing that my weedwhacker is also running hot, I decided to completely drain the fuel system and try fresh gas (still non-ethanol). Let it run a while in the barn several times. It still pops and sputters some, but seems to be doing better overall. But, not ready to take it out for some work yet.
 

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