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8N Still Won't Start

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Chris in VA

01-20-2001 15:06:02




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Back again for some more pointers. Background:'47 8N, front distributor, new points, new dist cap and rotor, new plug wires, new coil, new plugs (437s). I have an FO-4 and used it and the Nseries.com info to set and check points and timing. Double checked points and timing. Firing order is correct (1243) and I have blue sparks at all 4 plugs. I disconnected the air cleaner intake to the carb and used starting fluid but no go. I pulled the plugs and put a little gas in each cylinder, still no go. I don't have a compression gage, but I put my finger over each sparkplug hole and got pressure and suction (is that OK?). I haven't tried pulling the tappet cover and putting on some MM oil yet, but that may be next. I've never played with flatheads before so the tappets are sorta intimidating. The battery is in good shape and cranks the engine over easily. I didn't have awsome pressure when I put my finger over the plug holes (didn't blow finger off) and the easy cranking makes me suspect that I am at least getting some pressure past the valves. I can feel suction at the carb if I put my hand over the inlet and I can hear the suction if I choke it while I crank over the engine. I know I really need to replace the whole electrical system (lots of "field modifications")but I know the system is getting power to the necessary places and apparently at the right voltages. I am at my wits end (pretty short trip these days!)and am open to any and all suggestions.
Thanks for the help!
Chris in VA
Spotsylvania VA

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Brad

01-20-2001 20:48:22




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 Re: 8N Still Won't Start in reply to Chris in VA, 01-20-2001 15:06:02  
Put a little oil in each cylinder then clean and re-install the plugs. You might have washed down the cylinders with gas. This is all I had to do to fire up the $500 8N I bought with a supposedly bad engine. ;)



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geo in MI

01-20-2001 20:41:40




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 Re: 8N Still Won't Start in reply to Chris in VA, 01-20-2001 15:06:02  
Has the tractor been sitting idle for some time? If so, check your exhaust pipe for critter nests which may have plugged it up.



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D. R. White

01-20-2001 16:15:22




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 Re: 8N Still Won't Start in reply to Chris in VA, 01-20-2001 15:06:02  
Chris, This may sound to simple but try to pull start it. I have seen this happen before on motors that have been over cranked on in cold weather. I can not explain why it works but it does. About 10 to 15 ft. should do it. Good Luck. Dave.



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Bri9n

01-20-2001 15:59:00




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 Re: 8N Still Won't Start in reply to Chris in VA, 01-20-2001 15:06:02  
Chris, this is more of a related question than an answer, but I had a very similar situation, although I didn't put gas directly in the cylinders nor did I check the compression. I had good blue spark and tried starter fluid without success. Because the starter fluid didn't help, I didn't think it was the carb, but I took the carborator off anyway(I had not had it of before and the tractor had sat for 18 months)and took it to the local retired 'old tractor mechanic' and he cleaned it for me....I put it back on and it fired right up. This may not be related to your problem, but I guess my question to the others is whether its possible that the carb is the problem, even if starter fluid doesn't help....Brian.

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JimNC

01-20-2001 15:34:47




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 Re: 8N Still Won't Start in reply to Chris in VA, 01-20-2001 15:06:02  
A compression test would tell a whole lot. Most auto parts stores have the basic set-up pretty cheap. Mine started with 2 holes at about 65 or less psi compression. If it won't fire off on ether, either you don't have good enough spark, or your valves are sticking pretty bad. Take the tappet covers off to take a look see.



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Claus

01-20-2001 15:28:19




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 Re: 8N Still Won't Start in reply to Chris in VA, 01-20-2001 15:06:02  
If you suspect that you may have a compression problem, then I suggest that you beg, borrow or steal a compression gauge. (actually they are pretty inexpensive) Obviously, everything cannot be right and it still not work. The old addage,that if you have compression, fuel and spark at the correct time (In the right amounts) then the puppy should run...
Happy Motoring
Claus



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Snowplow

01-21-2001 08:37:30




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 Re: Re: 8N Still Won't Start in reply to Claus, 01-20-2001 15:28:19  
The reality is even if you have poor spark, bad gas, and bad compression in the wrong amounts, at roughly the right time, you should get at least a "pop".

This may sound crude but... Check the compression. If it's roughly ok I would take out the plugs, let it all dry out good so you know it's not flooded, turn off the gas, put a little gas in each cyl.(tablespoon), hit the air tube with a shot of starter fluid, crank once or twice without the choke, then choke, and crank that sucker with a 12V jump until it goes. If it pops but doesn't really start, turn on the gas and go again.

Once I flooded by 8N really bad. Wouldn't start of a couple of days. After drying out I turned off the gas and cranked it with a 12V jump. It took about 20 second straight but it popped. Then it sputtered and backfired so loud I though it blew up! The ran like a champ for four hours of bush hogging! Still running strong!

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Snowplow

01-21-2001 08:36:10




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 Re: Re: 8N Still Won't Start in reply to Claus, 01-20-2001 15:28:19  
The reality is even if you have poor spark, bad gas, and bad compression in the wrong amounts, at roughly the right time, you should get at least a "pop".

This may sound crude but... Check the compression. If it's roughly ok I would take out the plugs, let it all dry out good so you know it's not flooded, turn off the gas, put a little gas in each cyl.(tablespoon), hit the air tube with a shot of starter fluid, crank once or twice without the choke, then choke, and crank that sucker with a 12V jump until it goes. If it pops but doesn't really start, turn on the gas and go again.

Once I flooded by 8N really bad. Wouldn't start of a couple of days. After drying out I turned off the gas and cranked it with a 12V jump. It took about 20 second straight but it popped. Then it sputtered and backfired so loud I though it blew up! The ran like a champ for four hours of bush hogging! Still running strong!

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