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John Deere 40 belching fire

G

Gary.Schmidt

New User
I recently had the head of my JD 40 re-worked. I thought it had a cracked head because it was hard to start and when it did you could smell antifreeze for a few moments. Head was magnafluxed and was said to be OK. Had valves re seated at this time When I filled the cooling system I put in some "Blue Devil Head Gasket Sealer". When I started the tractor and when it warmed up there was fire coming out of my muffler. It was a lot of it. I checked the valve tappet adjustment, checked the timing, put in new spark plugs, soaked the carburetor in cleaning solution and blew out the passages(no new carb kit). When started it was still belching fire. I don't know what to try next. Maybe get a new carb kit?
 
I doubt if there is anything wrong with the carb, except maybe adjustment. Have you tried leaning it out a little? I would
check the timing, and are you sure it's running on both cylinders? Maybe an exhaust valve sticking?
 


I have tried adjusting the screw on the bottom of the carb but not the adjusting screw on the top. I timed it by setting the crankshaft on "spark" and using a test meter to set the distributor where the points were just opening. I have pulled both plugs, grounded the to the frame and verified they are sparking while cranking the engine. I don't know if an exhaust valve is sticking. They all appeared to be OK when I was adjusting them.
 
By fire, are you seeing actual flames or red sparkles?

Sparkles is normal, just carbon burning off the inside of the exhaust system.

If flames, try advancing the ignition timing a little.
 
You have it timed wrong. SPARK is used at full throttle with a timing light. Yes I know the book say's you can do it that way BUT if you do you have to hold the rotor in
the advanced position, hold the meter, and turn the dist and lock it down all at the same time with only two hands. To time it while not running use the TC/DC mark. If
the dist is perfect that will be accurate but a light is still best.
 

I want to thank everyone who replied to my post. I was running out of options.
I reset the timing using TDC and it is now running properly. I do have a timing light but it at least fifty years old and don't work properly. I will get another timing light and set the timing correctly.
 
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