Befuddled...

Sapper55 · Apr 19, 2015

Gentlemen,
Two weeks ago I drove my '42 H out of my barn (after storing it for 4 months)for some bush hogging work. I filled it with fresh gas and a hot battery, and it started almost promptly. It made three good passes around the pasture and on the fourth, it started to run extremely rough. It almost ran like one of those green two cylinder things and lurch, then it finally quit completely. I tried to restart but it would only spit, sputter and slobber gas out the bottom of the carburetor. This happened one time before about 3 years ago, and it was due to a sticking needle which I replaced, and had no more problem(s). One other time it quit due to rust plugging the sediment bowl inlet. The carburetor was last rebuilt in 1995. This time I checked the float and the governor, all okay. I went ahead and cleaned and rebuilt the complete carburetor, it is really straight forward simple. It has the IHC D10 unit. The ignition is completely new and I get great spark at the plugs. I just don't understand what is going on and am at wit's end right now. It would seem to me to be an easy fix. My pasture is growing tall and I need my old workhorse. Sorry for such a long diatribe. Any ideas? I greatly appreciate the knowledge base on this forum and how you gentlemen rally around those of us in times of need. Thanks again.....Sapper

FBH44 · Apr 19, 2015

Does the completely new ingnition mean a new coil too? Seems like I have heard those symptomes have meant a old coil.

Nebraska Cowman · Apr 19, 2015

Great spark at each plug or just the one you checked?

ss55 · Apr 19, 2015

Try to narrow down if the problem is fuel or ignition.
Does closing the choke a little help it run better? - lean fuel
Does it emit black smoke when it runs rough? - rich fuel
Are the spark plugs fouled?

Kenneth Ronald Ohnstad · Apr 19, 2015

gas flow O.K.?
sometimes rust interrupts the flow.
Kenny

joninmo · Apr 19, 2015

Check the air breather.

Sapper55 · Apr 19, 2015

FBH, I have not changed the coil because its new. I didn't think to check the resistor. Thanks for the reply though. Sapper...

Sapper55 · Apr 19, 2015

Clean as a whistle. Thanks for the reply. Sapper

Sapper55 · Apr 19, 2015

Cowman, I have great spark at all the plugs, plus they're brand new along with the ignition system. Thanks for the reply. Sapper....

Sapper55 · Apr 19, 2015

SS55, I have a brand new ignition and I rebuilt the carb. It will not change one iota when I close the choke a bit. I did not replace the coil or the resistor. Maybe I better check these out. I did swap the coil out with a known good one though. I'll keep searching. Thanks for the reply though. Sapper.....

Sapper55 · Apr 19, 2015

Kenneth, I checked the fuel lines and tank and sediment bowl and they are very clean. I think I need to look at changing the coil out. This is the only thing I haven't done. The wires, plugs, points, and condenser are all brand new. Thanks for the reply though. Sapper....

Goose · Apr 19, 2015

When it happens, try loosing the gas cap. My H did about the same thing once and it turned out to be a plugged vent in the gas cap.

Cas · Apr 19, 2015

Probably not NAT recommended; but I would take the air filter hose off at the carburetor and spray some starting fluid in. Quicker way to see if it is the carb or ignition.

The Dukester · Apr 19, 2015

Hey, if it starts running like one of those green two cylinder things you'll be able to shift up to fourth gear to get your bush hoggin' done. (Sorry, a little green and yellow devil made me do that.)
Seriously, I don't believe it's a fuel problem, sounds more like ignition trouble, check coil and that, even if it's new, condensor...I had a new one fail on me, had about 2 hrs. on it.

WGM · Apr 19, 2015

I had a new coil once dead out of the box.

Steve@Advance · Apr 19, 2015

Sounds like you've covered all the usual's... Looking at the "who'd have ever thought":

Ignition timing? Exhaust restriction? Vacuum leak, including exhaust manifold burned through to the intake? Valve timing? Other valve problems, broken spring, stuck valve, bent pushrod, etc?

Janicholson · Apr 19, 2015

With the fuel valve open on the tank, remove the drain plug from the bottom of the carb bowl (some have a drain valve, itshould flow solid fuel into a can at a quart a minute. If it runs for 15 seconds and quits there is a plugged component in the supply. How clean is the little screen at the carb inlet? Jim

Ellis Kinney · Apr 19, 2015

I had the same problem with one M Farmall over several years. Tried everything. Finally one afternoon I put some gas in the tractor and heard a slight hiss as I loosened the gas cap. Use a 1/16 drill bit and run through the hole in the top of the cap. It might be a quick fix. Ellis

Nebraska Cowman · Apr 19, 2015

You say you have spark at the plugs, OK I believe you. It should run (but it don't) Did you take the plugs out? I'd be noticing what color they are and if they are wet or dry. Let me know more details, I'll tell you where to look next

Sapper55 · Apr 19, 2015

NC, the plugs are new, they needed changed anyway. Yes we removed the plugs and checked for spark at each one. They were all slightly wet, but clean. They are set for 25 thousandths. I have the float set per the service manual setting at 1 53/64ths. The carb is also rebuilt by the numbers. The choke didn"t help when it was on only slightly. I believe that I"ve done everything others have said to look for. Thanks for your help. Sapper...

Nebraska Cowman · Apr 19, 2015

If the plugs are wet you either getting too much fuel or not enough spark.

Whiskey Bent · Apr 19, 2015

You said slobbering gas out the bottom of carb, sounds like needle or float stuck or something stuck in seat.

730virgil · Apr 19, 2015

i had similiar trouble with my 770 oliver the hose from air cleaner to carburtor was sucked closed no air to carb

Jeff B. · Apr 19, 2015

Even if the sediment bowl looks clean, drain it. I have one tractor that runs great until I start bouncing around a bit and then the sediment bowl fills with water. It will look clean, but only a thin film of gas is coming across the top of the water, and it won't run worth a d*mn. Runs great after I drain it, until it fills with water again.

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