1944 H Starting Running Problems

[Andy Motteberg]

Hi all,
I posted a while back that I was fixing a 1944 Farmall H that my Dad bought. It was last run in 1998 and the engine was stuck but it was in a shed. I got the engine loose a while back and I put in new gaskets and fluids. Now here is my problem... The tractor will not start unless you put a small amount of starting fluid in the carburetor or put a hand over the carb air inlet. (it has very good suction) It will only run for a very short time unless you keep a hand on the carb air inlet. It acts like it does not want to draw the gas into the engine. I've pulled off the carb several times and cleaned it, put in a new kit and tried different carb adjustments. I've used 2 different carburetors and I still can't get it to stay running. The float level is correctly set, the carb has been thourghly cleaned with carb cleaner and air pressure several times, there is gas to the carb. The fuel line, sediment bowl and fuel tank are clean. It just won't run unless it is primed, but it won't stay running. The timing is right and it will run very nice when you can get it to run for a short time. It has good compression. I'm out of ideas, what do you think may be wrong? Any help would be appreciated. I'd really like to get this old H running again.

Thanks,
Andy.

 

[CNKS]

Make sure the intake manifold does not leak. You have a lean condition. I usually soak carbs overnight. When you squirt compressed air in it, it has to come out somewhere. If you can't find the exit for the air, you have a plugged passage.

 

[Janicholson]

I agree with CNKS, Fuel is the issue. Make sure there are no manifold leaks, inside or outside (meaning into exhaust ports, or to air on the outside) Is the screen in the carb inlet fitting clean?. If different carbs do the same thing, it is either after the carb, or before it!! JimN

 

[James Williams]

Andy it sounds like to me low compression,rings might be stuck.You probally need new rings and hone your sleves,Maybe valves arent seating.Do a compression check.Lubericate your cylinders,than try starting it

jimmy

 

[teddy52food]

Did you try the carb on another H? If it runs & works right on another tractor, then you have a problem other than the carb. Do you have a good hot spark? Mag or battery ign? How are the plugs?

 

[jonnny2006]

I had a H that did the same thing... Turned out to be a leak in the intake gasket. I was abel to get it running and poured water over the gasket and it sucked in water and puffed a white smoke. I installed a new gasket and also reset the valve lash. the water makes it real easy to spot a intake leak. Never pour water on a HOT engine! Run test with engine COLD.

 

[Fancy Farm]

The fuel is not getting from the fuel tank through the main jet. I would bet on a plugged main jet

 

[Anonymous-0]

I think the key here is that it runs "nice and smooth" as long as it has fuel.

Take the fuel line off at the carb and let at least 2 gallons run into a can. If it runs smooth with no hesitations then something has to be plugged in the carb.

My money is on plugged before carb.

 

[trucker40]

Since you say you used 2 carbs and it wont run,kind of makes me think its the intake,or some fuel problem where it doesnt let enough fuel run into the carb fast enough to keep it running.Trash or something in the tank,fuel line,maybe try shooting compressed air back through the fuel line from the carburetor to make sure its getting through.

 

[BIG BORE 20]

Andy,
I bought an f-20 about 30 years ago that did just about what your H is doing. It turned out to be the manifold had a rusted through between the intake and the exhaust inside the manifold below the exhaust pipe outlet. This was hard to find, it drove me nuts for a while. I did all the things you have done before I found the hole. After pulling the manifold off I could look into the intake and see clear through it and out the exhaust pipe. Hope this helps.

 

[El Toro]

Pull the gas line at the carburetor and remove that fitting where the gas line was connected and check for a clogged screen behind that fitting. You should have a full stream of gas from the tank
too. Catch the gas in a clean container. You will probably need to close the shutoff valve if there's much gas in the tank. Since you have good suction at the throat of the carburetor you have blockage of fuel. Hal

 

[Andy Motteberg]

I took the manifold off today and found one of the passages that take the mixture from the carb to the cylinder head was plugged. I got it all cleaned and put back on the tractor and still the same problem. I cleaned both carbs very well and put wire through the passages to make sure they were not plugged. What now????

Thanks,
Andy.

 

[Andy Motteberg]

It has a good flow of gas to the carb and the screen looks almost new, it is very clean.

Thanks,
Andy.

 

[Andy Motteberg]

I looked to see if I could see any rust holes, but I did not see any, but it is hard to see in the manifold because the exhaust pipe has been welded in.

Thanks,
Andy.

 

[Andy Motteberg]

It seems to have good gas to the carb, but I'll try that.

Thanks,
Andy.

 

[Andy Motteberg]

I'll try that.

Thanks,
Andy.

 

[Andy Motteberg]

Thanks.

Andy.

 

[Andy Motteberg]

Thanks.

Andy.

 

[Andy Motteberg]

Yes, it has a good hot blue spark from the Wico X magneto. The plugs look good.

Thanks,
Andy.

 

[Andy Motteberg]

Cylinders were already lubed and honed and it seems to have good compression.

Thanks,
Andy.

 

[Andy Motteberg]

The fuel filter screen is very clean and in very good condition. I took off the manifold today and it looks good. I cleaned out the manifold and I still have the same problem. I don't know what to do next.

Thanks,
Andy.