8n pops when accelerating

[SoCalPal]

Howdy All-
Got a Ford 8-N that runs well.
I recently replaced the top mount solenoid, distributor points and condenser. Points were properly gapped and all ran well for a month.
Here"s the problem:
The tractor fires up and idles perfectly well. However, when I accelerate, the engine starts to pop. The backfires are bad enough that I can"t use the tractor unless its at idle speed.
Any clues as to what would cause this?
I"m a mechanical novice so best to spell it out for me. Thanx!
 

[souNdguy]

well.. solenoid won't have anything to do with backfireing.

as for points.

lets double check.. IE.. YOU need to pull and verify.

points gap is .015 and you set static timing as per manual with a straight edge.. etc.

now.. make sure you have fire order correct.

1-2-4-3

many people cross 3/4


lastly. IF all that is good.. it may be lean. try tugging choke a lil and see if it stops the backfire and smooths out the acceleration. if so.. she is lean.. might be lean from debris clogging the fuel system at some point from tank to main jet.

screw in main needle to seat then unscrew same # of turns. if no help, and you are not past 2 full turns. enrich by screwing out 1/8 turn and check. if less than 2 turns.. check 1/8 turn at a time till you get near 2. most machines don't need much past that if clean..

post back
 

[old]

Front or side mount distributor??? 6 or 12 volts???
If front mount points are set at 0.015 if side mount they are set at 0.025.
Next does choking it help or does it hurt??? If it hurts when was the last time you cleaned the air cleaner and put in fresh oil and dumped the water and dirt??
If it helps try this. Pull the drain plug out of the bottom of the carb and let the flue flow a few minutes. Catch it so as to look for water dirt etc. If you have a good steady flow of gas then try opening up the main jet just a tad bit and see if you can find the sweet spot.
You also might check and make sure you have a good blue/white spark that jumps a 1/4 inch gap or more.
Running lean or poor spark or having the plug wires out of order or even a bad distributor cap can and will cause that type of problem
 

[SoCalPal]

Thanks for the info. Sure wish you guys lived here in Southern California!
 

[old]

That is one state of very few I have never been to and do not want to go there with all the odd balls that live out that way. LOL Been all over the U.S. and have been close to CA but AZ was as close as I got back when I was driving trucks for a living
 

[Dell (WA)]

SoCalPal.......you do know points gap NEVER stay the same as when you set them NEW, don't you??? Your description has all the earmarks of needing to re-gap yer points.

Unfortunately, we're NOT MIND READERS, so we need to know whether yer 8N has the weird 4-nipple frontmount ...or... the more common looking 5-nipple sidemount. Surprizingly enuff, points and condenser don't care whether original 6-volt positive (+) ground ...or... 12-volt negative (-) ground.

Iff'n yer 8N has the weird 4-nipple dizzy, ittza 2-bolt, 15-min job to remove the dizzy and adjust the points (0.015") on the kitchen table. Just un-snapple the capple and remove 2-bolts and walk. Installation is a reversal of the removal ...except... finger start the 2-bolts and then install the rotor. Now rotate the rotor until the OFFSET drive tang fits the OFFSET camshaft slot. Since the dizzy is OFFSET scheme, you can NOT install outta time. Now tighten the 2-bolts and re-snapple the capple. Simple, eh?

Remember to "polish" yer points (0.015") after installation/adjustment. Me? I clamp a clean $1-bill between the points and pull. Iff'n yer really cheap, tear a strip from HEAVY brown paper grocery sack and use that.

Many neubie shadetree mechanics, miss-install the #3&4 sparkie wires. I'd swap the 3&4 sparkie wires FIRST before I'd remove the weird 4-nipple dizzy. Why? 'cuz I'm LAZY!!! .........Dell, yer self-appointed sparkie-meister
 

[SoCalPal]

Well Dell-
A big country thanks for your information. I'll give it a shot!
 

[SoCalPal]

Hey Old-
You're right buddy. This state has pretty much gone to the dogs. And I can say that with authority as I was born near San Diego 60 years ago. California use to be a great place until the liberal's invaded in the 70's. Our state is still beautiful and still inhabited by many down to earth folks. Unfortunately....we're now the minority. Sacramento (our capital) is hell bent on giving our state back to Mexico. ....Go figure,.....sigh.
 

[old]

One big thing that would bug me big time is the gun laws and how much stuff you can not own and be legal. I have ammo that I can buy all day long but in CA it makes you a felon to own it. Plus all the gay rights bull. Yep I do not think much of the gay rights people since as it is said there was Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve
 

[skycutter]

have had a lot of mechanical work done on 1947 8n ford. Had manifold & gasket replaced. valves and pistons OK. Pressure on pistons is 100+. 2 new sets of spark plugs and new wires. New distributor cap, coil, condensor and points. had carb rebuilt then replaced it with new carb. still can't get the thing to idle at lower settings and above 3/4 travel on throttle quadrant. Runs nicely between those settings. spent 2 hours trying to adjust the carb setting at idle and above 3/4 travel but either dies at the lower range on throttle quadrant or runs rough (pops / sputters above 3/4 travel. runs smooth between these ranges. Confused and frustrated. Need Help! Will run smoother above 3/4 travel if ether is sprayed into breather. will not choke out as quickly if ether is sprayed at lower idle settings. At the higher settings(above 3/4 travel) governor rod is working overtime. At lower setting govenor rod is hardly moving. Could it be the govenor is not doing its job!!!!! HEEEEEllllPPPP !!!!!
 

[souNdguy]

you completely ignored the info i gave you before I see.. and yet you are still asking questions.

go re-read my message I spent time typing in...

post back.

you've actually hit on something i mentioned, though chose not to test.