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Ford 9N, 2N & 8N Discussion Forum
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ford 8N starting problem

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Glen Thompson

07-07-2004 20:47:26




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I am having problems starting my ford 8N. The only way it will start is by towing it. This engine was just rebuilt. The starter spins the engine over just fine. I have good spark with 130 lbs pressure in all 4 cylinders. I dont seem to be getting fuel to the engine at all. When I remove the air intake on the carberator I have very good suction. Even spraying starter fluid into the carberator wont get it to fire. I have removed and cleaned out the carb and cant see anything wrong. When It does start it runs beautifully. I have to remove the short rubber connecting hose that connectes the carb with the air filter to let the gas out of the hose. The fuel actually builds up in the carb but never gets sucked up into the engine. The gaskets all seem to be in good shape without any air leaks. I have even removed the small screw above the carb (in the manifold) and there is suction there. Does anyone out there have any ideas? Thanks Glen

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Glen Thompson

07-08-2004 18:50:17




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 Re: ford 8N starting problem in reply to Glen Thompson, 07-07-2004 20:47:26  

Thanks everyone, Turns out the points were not opening on the high lobe. I was getting spark but apparently at the wrong time. I dont understand why it wouldent fire but it sure does now. The old girl purrs like a kitten again. Thanks again for all the ideas. I checked out every one of your ideas. Glen



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gshadel

07-08-2004 07:56:41




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 Re: ford 8N starting problem in reply to Glen Thompson, 07-07-2004 20:47:26  
I had the exact same problem on my rebuild. First time I fired it up, ran like a million dollars. Next day, ran the battery down trying to get her started, finally did, ran like a dream. Next day, same thing, ran the battery down, finally got her started, ran great.
Couple days later, try to start, won't. Look down at my carb, gas leaking out the top and dripping on the ground. My newly rebuilt carb was filling up with gas, the float wasn't totally stopping the flow. I also happened to have a leaky NEW gas shut off. So when I thought I was shutting of the gas to the carb, I wasn't.
Try this, If she won't start, pull the drain plug on your carb, drain it down, stick the plug back in, then try to start again. If she starts, that's your problem. Good Luck

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Rich in Michigan

07-08-2004 06:48:44




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 Re: ford 8N starting problem in reply to Glen Thompson, 07-07-2004 20:47:26  
I just had to comment that I was feeling proud of myself at how I am starting to feel comfortable working on my 8N and gaining some confidence. Then I read your post and thought I better never have the kind of problem you are having because I don't even know where some of the parts you mentioned are.

Hoping my 8N throws it at me when I can handle it and not before. In the age of 10 minute oil changes, us youngsters have a lot to learn.

Glen, let us know what resolves it for you.

thanks,
Rich

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Dan

07-08-2004 05:10:05




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 Re: ford 8N starting problem in reply to Glen Thompson, 07-07-2004 20:47:26  
Good advise below and... make sure when you are trying to put starting fluid in the throttle plate is OPEN (don't ask me how I thought of that... :) )

Good luck,
Dan



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Rob

07-08-2004 05:00:31




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 Re: ford 8N starting problem in reply to Glen Thompson, 07-07-2004 20:47:26  
You can't get it to fire on starting fluid so you need to take a hard look at the ignition. Maybe you have a bad switch. Jump around it on the terminal block. Remove a spark plug, short it to ground, and watch it for several revolutions. You need to see a regular and snappy, blue spark. A yellow spark indicates a problem. Do you have low-tech copper-core rubber plug wires or silicone carbon radio wires? Requires low-tech copper-core wires.
Too much choke will fill the carb full of gas. Very easy to flood that carb. Choke 2 or 3 revolutions...tops. I might choke that much, if it's below 20-degrees outside. Once you've choked it then don't choke it again unless it's just a 'bump.' Even then you risk flooding it. If you see gas in the carb then pull a plug to see if it's wet. Bet it is. After I flood an engine I'll replace those fouled plugs. I will reuse the fouled plugs only after I wash them in Dawn dishsoap.
Good engine, warm weather...probably don't need any choke at all; assuming timing and firing order is right. Don't connect the air cleaner until you get it to start like it should.

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Dell (WA)

07-08-2004 00:44:14




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 Re: ford 8N starting problem in reply to Glen Thompson, 07-07-2004 20:47:26  
Glen..... ...Check your firing order, 1,2,4,3 CCW. These ol'N-gines are so good they run on just 2 cylinders and make you think all 4 are working just fine 'specially in a fresh rebuilt engine.

You say you have good sparkies, PROVE-ITT!!! Check yer sparkies ability to jump a 3/16" gap by making a test sparkie from any old sparkplug and bending its side electrode out for a full 3/16" gap. clamp it to any bolt/brackett. Then stick it in any sparkie wire and watch the sparkies while you are cranking the engine. Do the sparkies jump with blue-snott authority?

PROVE that you don't have a intake manifold gasket leak by squirting oil around ALL manifold gaskets and carb gasket. Oil will temperorially seal leaky manifold gaskets. Even tho you claim your manifold vacuum port "sucks", unless it is pulling 15 inches, it ain't suckin enuff. ..... ....Dell

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glen Thompson

07-08-2004 18:43:45




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 Re: Re: ford 8N starting problem in reply to Dell (WA), 07-08-2004 00:44:14  
Dell, Thanks for the help. I had 130 lbs of presure and 16 inches of vacume. The spark was apparently not strong enouph. Turns out the points were not opening on the high lobe. We set them for 15 thousandths and wow. Its pops right off and never misses at all. Thanks again. Glen



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Dave OH

07-07-2004 21:41:18




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 Re: ford 8N starting problem in reply to Glen Thompson, 07-07-2004 20:47:26  
If you have to remove the connecting hose from the air filter line to let gas out you have a float valve that is not seating...period. The valve on the gas tank bowl should always be closed when not running the tractor, that is one problem. If you try to start it and your plugs are still dry after failure to start someone else will have to come up with an answer since you say you have good air suction and it won't start with spray fluid, but you have good spark. And to top it off you say it runs excellent after starting. The answer to this "I" have to read.
Dave OH

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