1955 ford 800 172 gas engine won't start

[rdjinny]

okay here's my story, I just rebuilt the engine new sleeves pistons valves etc. the whole works just finished putting it back onto the tractor yesterday, I set the no. 1 cylinder at TDC and rotated flywheel to 4 degrees installed distributor etc. started it up first try but was running rough kept turning distributor both ways and it really didn't improve and then it stopped running and now when I keep trying to start all it does is backfire, I've pulled distributor several times rotated to TDC several times but same results nothing but backfiring, I'm lost with what's wrong soaked so much money into it already.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks Rick

 

[Jim.ME]

okay here's my story, I just rebuilt the engine new sleeves pistons valves etc. the whole works just finished putting it back onto the tractor yesterday, I set the no. 1 cylinder at TDC and rotated flywheel to 4 degrees installed distributor etc. started it up first try but was running rough kept turning distributor both ways and it really didn't improve and then it stopped running and now when I keep trying to start all it does is backfire, I've pulled distributor several times rotated to TDC several times but same results nothing but backfiring, I'm lost with what's wrong soaked so much money into it already.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks Rick

Are you getting TDC on the compression stroke? TDC is only right for firing every other rotation.

Do you have the plug wires in the right firing order, the right way around the distributor?

 

[old]

okay here's my story, I just rebuilt the engine new sleeves pistons valves etc. the whole works just finished putting it back onto the tractor yesterday, I set the no. 1 cylinder at TDC and rotated flywheel to 4 degrees installed distributor etc. started it up first try but was running rough kept turning distributor both ways and it really didn't improve and then it stopped running and now when I keep trying to start all it does is backfire, I've pulled distributor several times rotated to TDC several times but same results nothing but backfiring, I'm lost with what's wrong soaked so much money into it already.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks Rick

Are you getting a good blue/white spark that jumps a 1/4 inch gap or more?? If you put new points in make sure they didn't slip closed or slip open to wide

 

[Jim L WA]

What Jim.ME said. Firing order is 1243 c.w. Then do what old said. Let us know.

 

[used red MN]

Are you getting TDC on the compression stroke? TDC is only right for firing every other rotation.

Do you have the plug wires in the right firing order, the right way around the distributor?

And I can only suspect you know when the piston is coming up on the compression stroke it will be pumping or pushing air/compression out of the spark plug hole. On the exhaust stroke it will not because the exhaust valve will be open.

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley RIP]

okay here's my story, I just rebuilt the engine new sleeves pistons valves etc. the whole works just finished putting it back onto the tractor yesterday, I set the no. 1 cylinder at TDC and rotated flywheel to 4 degrees installed distributor etc. started it up first try but was running rough kept turning distributor both ways and it really didn't improve and then it stopped running and now when I keep trying to start all it does is backfire, I've pulled distributor several times rotated to TDC several times but same results nothing but backfiring, I'm lost with what's wrong soaked so much money into it already.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks Rick

Best to have the correct parts to start with. Proper Tune-Up required. Manuals and documents required See if this helps...

Tim Daley (MI)