JD Model 50 won't start

Ok, hard to tell from your video but the shutoff valve from the fuel bowl to the carb looks like it is in the closed position. Couple of easy things to check right off the get go. Are your plugs wet after trying to start, maybe too much choke, every tractor is a little bit different. Are you getting good spark to the plugs, check the point gap and clean the points up. Remember you need air, spark and fuel to get her running. Obviously you are getting good juice to the starter, be careful not running the starter for a long period of time, heats up fast. I am sure a lot of the folks on this board who are a lot smarter than me will chime in, good luck, lets us know what you find.
 
Are you running a mag or a distributer? If a mag, will it start if you pull it. If it does, could be a weak impulse spring in the mag. Also, could be a bad condenser. This can all be checked by looking at the spark at the plug. The tractor is not firing so if it's not getting too much fuel,(flooding), the problem is in the ignition, probably.
 
Make sure fuel shut off is open, then try advancing the throttle about one quarter of full travel as it looks to be all the way back, some will start that way some will not. Open up fuel line somewhere to check flow, should get pencil sized flow. Remove plugs and clean and check to see if wet or dry, check for spark. Checking fuel flow might be a little tricky since you have an oil pressure shut off. At least you know it does run, can't be anything too difficult. Get autolite plugs if you get some, I use 3116's mostly but 366 or 388 are good too. Just curious, do you have a small wire that comes back to the negative post on the battery as well as the cable that goes to the starter? Mine has that and if there is corrosion at that battery connection it will not start.
 
You say you had it running for about an hour. So did you shut off the fuel valves and forgot to turn them back on? It sure won't run for an hour on the fuel in the carburetor with the gas line valves shut off. How cold is it? There is snow on the ground so that my be affecting how hard it starts, but in general gas JDs are quite good for cold weather starting.
 
It did run for almost an hour on Wednesday. I hadn't touched the shut offs. I did turn them on and still nothing. I'll check the plugs and spark tomorrow. And some other things people have suggested. Also, the battery cables are terrible and I should just change them out too. We've had a little snow but it hasn't been too cold. The next few days are in the single digit though so I might wait until it warms up a bit next week. I just need to get the darn thing off the trailer. lol. I really appreciate everyone's help.
 
IMHO, looks like manual fuel shutoff is closed. Also if you had it running, and let it idle or an extended period, I'll guess the plugs are fouled. That is what happens on my '50 B .
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top