(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Can't get it started

D

dkawucha

New User
O.K. 8N friends.
I have a 1950 8n with the side mount diestributor. Sometime before I bought it it was converted to 12v. I am having major problems getting it started.

We had a lot of rain recently and the tractor has been outside. I went to start it, it started, ran rough for about 30 seconds and then died. I haven't been able to start it since. I have replaced the points, condenser (twice), coil and ballast resistor to no avail. The coil wire is good and I am getting fuel. I have also rebuilt the carb. When I pull a plug wire and crank iot, I get no spark. Any suggestions?
 
Clean the production coating off of the points. A match book abrasive is good, then a folded dollar bill. to assure they are clean. Jim
 
Thanks Jim. Did that already but no luck. I'm thinking it's something farther upstream. I'm getting no spark from the coil or the plugs.
 
If it is very damp out you could have condensation inside the distributor cap, I have heard that if you spray the inside with WD-40 and then wipe it out it can solve that problem. WD= water displacer.
 
Points dirty or wet will cause that. Pull the distributor cap off turn it on then open the points by hand wit ha stick etc so you do not get shocked. You should both hear and see a spark when you do that. If you do not the points are bad or need cleaned
 
Put a test light on the lead going to the points on the outside of the distributor. Ground the light lead. With the ignition on, crank the engine. if the light flashes, the points are working. if not, and the light stays on, the points are not closing, or the connection is open to the points. If it stays off, the points (or lead to the points) are closed, not opening, shorted to ground, or the lead where it passes through is shorted to ground.
If it flashes, the next check is to put the coil wire 1/4" away from the block (connected to the coil, not the cap) to see if it has fire at the coil. If it does it is in the cap/rotor. Jim
 
You didn't mention changing the distributor cap. Cracks can be hard to see. I would swap that and the rotor. If sparks going into the dizzy and not coming out, that could be your problem.
 
A lot of good advice here but I would start at the beginning at make sure there is voltage before the ignition switch and work my way down from there.
 
Be sure to report back with what the problem was when you find it. Troubleshoot one component at a time until you find the problem, otherwise you don't learn anything!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Farmall 656 Gas no spark, has power to coil
Replies
7
Views
425
wore out
wore out
R
Electrical issues
Replies
16
Views
776
Jim L WA
J
C
RTU 12 volt conversion
Replies
5
Views
255
wore out
wore out
G
help with ford 8n not starting
Replies
10
Views
509
Eman85
E
C
weak spark on a ford 4000 forklift
Replies
4
Views
371
Charlie M
C
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

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.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top