fired once on ether.. This is odd

[R Wyler]

I thought about getting switch to crank it from beside but didn't. I had someone crank it while I sprayed the starting fluid into the air cleaner. It fired off and sounded smooth but just for a second then it tried again and then not all even with ether while cranking. I tried priming the lp also while cranking and nothing. I had the carb off today all is free and open. I have the points just opening on TDC I even took a flashlight and looked. Both valves closed also. When I put it together I put the 1 on the cam gear with the 1 on the crank gear... I could not smell lpg in the #1 cyl today I even after cranking. When I prime it lp comes to the carb.. And why would it fire once on the fluid then not again... And it did not pop or backfire it sounded smooth. I am getting tired of cranking on the thing and I feel like I am wasting time like a fool and going no where with it.
 

[shinnery]

This sounds more and more like an old Int. Travelall I had years ago and did a tune-up on. Would not start and finished off the old starter trying. Turns out I had put a new bad condenser in the dist. Rebuilt starter and new new condenser and it ran fine til I let it sit and the gaskets dried out in the 2 bbl Holley, but that is another story.
Bryce
 

[R Wyler]

I think I still have the old condensor I will try it tomorrow. Also I had put a new coil on it and took it off and put the one on from my 930 that I had running a few weeks ago. I will try the condensor. After this I guess I will see about checking the regulator out.
 

[Howard H.]

Don't get discouraged. After you find the problem, it will probably seem so small and minor... Most problems seem a lot bigger than they really are until you finally find them...

I might have missed part of your story, but are you sure you have fire on all plugs?? Do you have a mag on it? Or a distributor? Were you checking fire on the coil wire? Or each plug wire??

A cracked cap or moisture in the cap or too much carbon dust buildup can cause it to jump around randomly.

How long did it run smoothly?? Enough to tell it was hitting on all 6??

Howard
 

[glr62]

think you are one hole off on timing!!!
 

[MMMMMMMMMM]

Check your intake manifold for missing pipe plugs.
 

[R Wyler]

I located TDC lose push rods, pisoton at the top and TDC on flywheel is on pointer. The rotor is pointing more or less to the corner of the head. I moved the dist to where the points are about half open and #1 wire in cap is about in line with rotor. I have them set 153624. Am I wrong somewhere? I sure need to know if I am.
 

[Curt Cooke]

Do you have the regulator and carburetor matched? That is, century carb and century regulator? Or some combination like a century reg and an Ensign carb?
 

[R Wyler]

It has a distrib with brand new points condensor coil. I set the points to 21 then down to a tight 21. New steel wires new Champ D9 plugs gapped within range. I even put the coil from my 930 on and no change. I just looked at one of the plugs I think #6 and had a blue spark. I also have mad sure that all plug wires are pluged down into the cap good and connected fully to the plugs. It run for maybe 4 seconds like it wanted to take off and go. Not long at all then back tried again and then nothing cranking with ether or priming while cranking. I posted down below in this thread on my timing maybe I am off??
 

[R Wyler]

Century Reg and carb. The reg is a new Century M6 but as mentioned earlier maybe it is not working right from setting too long? I can get lp to the carb when priming it.
 

[R Wyler]

nothing open all plugs in place. I am about ready to pull the manifold off and make sure there is no obstruction but I am very sure there isn't one. This is a bad feeling I want to hear the thing run so bad I can't stand it also because I want to know the trans and and rearend and clutch are all working. I can't have peace of mind until this thing is running. All this work and months and money and waiting and This is no fun at all.....
 

[Curt Cooke]

This going to sound stupid but when I've struggled with things like this I start switching parts. I have several LPG tractors and a lot of parts around. If you can, put a gasoline carb on it and put some fuel to it, see if you can positively identify carburetion as the problem. Your 930 is likely Ensign and not a particularly good candidate for a swap for LP. But if you have anything else LPG that would be easier, swap that. I've been stymied to the point of switching carbs and mags and distributors. We've got to eliminate the potential problems. Do you have good vacuum? That is, if you roll the engine and put your hand over the intake on the carb., does it suck hard on your hand?
 

[R Wyler]

Yes the 930 has an Ensign carb and Beam 120A regulator. Actually as well as that 930 starts I was almost thinking about getting another carb like that and a reg compatible and going that way. I will check out the vacume like you said. I don't have anything else handy to hook up carb wise no other lp or gas carbs around that would fit. I am going to try a different condensor. I do think it is odd that I cannot smell lpg in the cyls when it is getting to the carb and then it has fired but only a time or two. I will try the elimination process more.
 

[Howard H.]

If you are getting regular blue spark, then I think it must be in the fuel.

While turning it over, I used to short each plug with a screwdriver to make sure each plug was getting fire and getting it evenly... Or just pull the wire and stick a screwdriver in the end and let it short out to ground. Sometimes easier to see in low light.

I've seen a lot of weird "low-probability" things like stripped drive gear on a distributor, stripped rotor, etc, that let the rotor jerk around some - distributing some fire - but not that would let the engine run.

BUT, if it sounds smooth for those 4 seconds, I'm guessing all your electrical and mechanical is all good and you just need to figure out the fuel issue...

Could you post a pic of your regulator??

Howard
 

[Captainhookerus]

If the points are half open at TDC you are timed way to slow.