1937 Model D Issues

[JD60Standard]

I have been working on a 1937 John Deere D for the last few weeks. It is extremely hard to hand start and if I can get it running it has no power when under a load. It has a new Wico “C” magneto and the carb has been rebuilt and cleaned multiple times. If any of you could offer some insight about how to solve these problems, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Loosehandle]

Probably running on 1 cylinder, I'm not a big fan of the wico c. Did you get a new coil with the rebuild?

 

[JOCCO]

M

Probably running on 1 cylinder, I'm not a big fan of the wico c. Did you get a new coil with the rebuild?

Might not be all your issue but I am with Loosehandle, on the C mag.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

I agree on not loving the C as well after attempting to rebuild a couple Wico X is the ticket Cs I’ve had corrode worse inside where the cover screws go into the metal housing. When you say “new”…is it new new or just a different mag? If you have 2 you can likely make one good one with a complete rebuild kit that has all the internal parts and the cover hopefully one of the housings is good. I made the mistake of trying a different model C as well it was an hour drive and 50 bucks to go get it to pull it apart and it be junk.

Status of plugs? The hand start ones I have to keep them fresh I’m not a fan of spinning the flywheel on the smaller ones. You have reliefs on yours so it should spin ok.

Throttle at half by looking at the carb throttle?

New mag that was off timed at the lh impulse mark?

 

[JD60Standard]

The mag came from Rudy at RebuiltMags.com so I would assume it is rebuilt and not brand new, it does have good spark coming from both plug wires. The old plugs were fouled so I replaced but it did not make starting any easier. The tractor will start if I pull start it and it idles well once it’s running, it just has no power under load. I will verify that the mag is timed correctly next time I’m out at my shop.

 

[JOCCO]

First not putting Rudy or anyone else down. But sounds like impulse issue. or incorrect coupling, lag angle not set correctly. I have been through all this before. Best to call him on the mag. (yes, it will fire) on the bench as a rule.

 

[JOCCO]

I agree on not loving the C as well after attempting to rebuild a couple Wico X is the ticket Cs I’ve had corrode worse inside where the cover screws go into the metal housing. When you say “new”…is it new new or just a different mag? If you have 2 you can likely make one good one with a complete rebuild kit that has all the internal parts and the cover hopefully one of the housings is good. I made the mistake of trying a different model C as well it was an hour drive and 50 bucks to go get it to pull it apart and it be junk.

Status of plugs? The hand start ones I have to keep them fresh I’m not a fan of spinning the flywheel on the smaller ones. You have reliefs on yours so it should spin ok.

Throttle at half by looking at the carb throttle?

New mag that was off timed at the lh impulse mark?

I pretty much agree fixingfarmer.