1956? 841 Ford Tractor dies after 3-5 minutes.

Wabrooks1983

New User
Hey guys, looking for some help. I was given what I believe to be a 1956 Ford 841. It was in the process of being rebuilt when I got it but is fairly complete. I went over it and replaced the points,condensor, and coil. Got it to start but once it warmed up it died and was hard/no start. I took off the carb (Zenith) expecting to find trash in it but it was clean. I keep having the same issue. If its cold it will start and run ok til you load it or it gets warm at all. Then it acts like its starving for fuel. Usually will start right back up and the die after 10-15 seconds. I started with bottle feed for the fuel but now have the tank back on with all new hose/filter. Filter is full when it dies. I have put a kit in the carb for giggles and used a stone to take out any warp. It was leaking like the float was stuck but the stoning seemed to help that. Im fairly good with engines and my dad is old school mechanic as well but this is a head scratcher. I have went as far as pulling the drain on the bowl and trying to start it to see if the fuel dries up but it will be full after it dies. It has good fuel to the carb. The orifaces look clear. When its dead cold it runs great for about 5 minutes, no smoking and smooth. Anyone seen this before? My next step is to pull the intake and see how the gasket looks. Thanks for any help/ideas.
 
If it is a 1956 that would make it an 840. 801 series started in 1958.
I'd start by putting the old condenser back in. Very common t have a bad new condenser these days.

Next I would check the spark right after it died if the condenser didn't fix it.
#2 I would pull the carb drain plug and make sure you have a good steady flow of gas that will fill a pint jar in less then 3 minutes
 
so I had this issue with the old condensor. I changed it thinking it was the problem. The fuel flows well out of the drain but Ill try the 3 minute test for good measure. Ill also check the spark as well. Thanks for the ideas. It says in the 841 in the case is why I thought it may be a 841
 
If 841 is stamped on the tractor just aft of the started then it is a 841 but it would be a 58-62. I own a 841S the S stand for factory installed Sherman combo aux transmission
 
I'm not saying this is it but I had
similar issues with 800 and Zenith carb.
Put kit in float section only and adjusted
the float level according to directions
with kit. In my case that fixed it. So
maybe try tinkering with float adjustment.
 
yeah, thats what I have been thinking for a while. Ive had this carb apart 15 times lol. Do you have the float settings? The kit listed them off for several carbs but this carb has no numbers.
 
It probably is a 1958ish. I tried to put the clues together and I knew it was at least a 56 due to the axle so I was guessing. That may help in the parts search knowing its a 58+. It all works and came with a brush hog. Just have to keep it running lol.
 
Thanks a bunch. The kit I got from napa had like 10 different depths depending on carb. Does yours have the main jet adjustment needle? Mine just has a plug there.
 
Mine was the tank. as it was warmed up and under load debris in the tank would suck up against the screen and cause it to die out,. let it rest a few minutes and the junk would fall off the screen. stop
repeat, stop repeat. cleaning the tank solved it.
 
The tank I have is dirty and needs cleaned. But this was going on when I had a clean bottle feed system. And you can start it, let it die and the bowl will be full. Im gonna try to work on it wednesday and hopefully try some of these tips and update you guys. Thanks a bunch.
 
couldnt work on it too much due to rain, but I took a picture of the carb and figured Id show it so people can see if the notice something Im missing.
mvphoto92492.jpg

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The sediment bowl assembly is missing and
the fuel line is cobbled. Is there an
inline fuel filter? If so that's non-
original and some claim it can cause
trouble in this application.

Ideally you should probably return to the
original configuration.

Also the air cleaner is not hooked up but
perhaps you disconnected that for
troubleshooting.
 
yeah, it hasnt had the sediment bowl since I got it. I am going to try to source one. It has a inline filter and is all new hose. Fittings and copper has been cleaned and inspected. Ive had the air cleaner off for troubleshooting but plan to install it because I know some carbs need the restriction for proper mixture. It wont do anything once its warm though. It just starts and immediatley dies and will have fuel pouring out the drain if opened. As soon as this rain stops, I intended to do more checking.
 
In line fuel filter could be the problem. I've fixed that problem 30 plus times over the years. Many of them are made to be used on things with a fuel pump and don't work well with a gravity feed system
 

Ya know thats true, a dozen times in the past I'd stick a fuel filter on some engine, mower or garden tractor, just whatever was new lying in the drawer with those parts I collected along the way and it would do that...run a while then die then run then die.

Once I learned which filters were for a fuel pump vs a gravity tank, I never had that problem again. The ones meant to be used with a pump have thicker filters and more restriction I suppose.

The wrong fuel filter will drive you mad if you don't know one kind is for gravity and one is for a pump.
 
Ive wondered this myself. I went to buy that sedminet bowl, but they dont have that style locally and the tank style wont fit. Im gonna order the right one. Im sure this is something stupid because it runs so well when it does run.
Thanks guys.
 
Remove the in line filter and see if it runs. If it does so as it should you know what the problem is
 
Is it just my eyes or is the governor not hooked up? I cant see a governor rod coming back to the carb or throttle rod going to the governor.
 
Hey Guys, got and update finally. I went ahead and move it to the house for easier diagnostics. I tried the factory air cleaner and it wouldnt start at all. Had good fuel flow but it was dirty. I am gonna clean the tank and found a petcock that will work. It seems that they put an older style tank on it and thats why I cant find a petcock that works. I unloaded it and on a whim just put a rag over the carb and taped it for restriction. It fired right up. After but of adjustment to the rag, I had it running for 20 minutes. As soon as I moved the rag, it would die. So that was the issue. Still need to get the fuel system in better order but now I know it just needs a good airfilter. Thanks for all you guys help!
 

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