Ford 860 Wont Start

[tjust22]

Hello I"m new to Ford Tractors and am having some problems--
I bought a Ford 860 last week and drove it home around 6 miles. It ran okay but sputtered occasionally. The next day I went out to start the tractor and it would start... but died whenever I put a load on the engine. I noticed gas flowing from the carb. I took apart the carb and cleaned it up and it ran fine for awhile and then sputtered and fuel poured from the carb again. Now I rebuilt the carb and the tractor will start for about 2 seconds then die...even with ether. Sometimes it will run for 30 seconds fully choked. I"m confident I rebuilt the carb properly. I"m beginning to think maybe it"s an ignition problem? It does have spark though. I"m beyond confused!
 

[old]

First off check your spark at all four plug wires. Make sure it is a blue/white spark that will jump a 1/4 inch gap of more. Next pull the carb drain plug and make sure you have a good steady flow of gas for a few minutes. Catch it to look for dirt/water etc. What you have said sounds like a sticking float needle
 

[Mark Slater]

Welcome to the Yesterday's Tractor Ford forum.

How long did it set before you bought it?
If it sat more than a couple weeks . . . Double check your gas. With this nasty cold snap lots of people have been having problems like water in the gas and in the transmission oil.
 

[Jimmyjack]

That long ride might have shaken some crap loose in the tank. It might be plugging your carb or screens. How does the sediment bulb look?
 

[souNdguy]

it has spark.. yet starts and dies and repeatedly pukes fuel out the carb.. yet you are confident the carb is fine.

i'm seeing plenty of evidence that the carb is NOT fine.

if the flaot valve is sticking. you have a float, or needle/seat issue.

floats don't stick on fine carbs. ;)


the spark check is the key. if it has good steady spark .. and you have had it running.. which means it runs and timeing and compression are adequate... then look at fuel.
 

[tjust22]

Thanks for everyone's replies!

The carb no longer spits fuel since I've rebuilt it.
I cleaned and emptied the tank and am getting a nice clean stream out the bottom of the carb with the drain plug out.

All the cylinders seem to be sparking a nice blue powerful spark.

It just seems like its not getting enough fuel!!
I enjoy working on it but its also very frustrating because I thought I was purchasing a good running machine... !
 

[old]

Carb no longer spits fuel well ya if it does not get the fuel it needs that would be what happens. Good chance the float is sticking or even hitting the side of the float bowl in the carb and hanging up. Did you try the drain plug and let the fuel flow for a few minutes as I said or are you just guessing you did the carb as it should be. Seen many times when you think you did the carb right it is not right and I have done that may self and I do carbs all the time and some times you have to open them back up due to something not being right
 

[tjust22]

I popped the bottom drain plug out and let it run for 3-4 minutes with good flow. That should mean the float is not sticking correct?

Just tried cleaning out the venturi--- the only part I didnt clean. Wish me luck!
 

[old]

Ok so now you know the float bowl is full but that still does not say the main jet circuit is open. When you cleaned that carb did you use spray carb cleaner and also air and the big and most important thing did you poke out the passage ways with something?? I use a torch tip cleaner tool to ole out all the passage ways
 

[Royse]

How did you adjust the carb?
Idle screw was in for enrich, out for lean on many MS carbs.
Main jet was normal, in for lean.
I'd start with it about 2 turns off the seat and the idle screw 1 1/2.
 

[tjust22]

I got the tractor running! Turned out to be a dirty venturi...

Thanks for the warm welcome and I hope this helps someone out in the future!