8N carburator

[Will in Washington]

Yep, I"m fairly ignorant when it comes to mechanicing. Got a '50 8N, very handy. Was running well. Then, it starts cutting out, but i can choke it back to life most of the time. At low or middle idle its ok, but when i throttle up or take off it wants to die. pulled the carb off, cleaned it (not really knowing what I"m doing) put it back and nothing changed. What should i try next? Many thanks.

 

[Ultradog MN]

Always, always, always, first thing out of the seat check your spark. Spark should jump at least 3/8" and be bright bluish white.
Costs nothing and is simple to do with no tools.
When you are confident you have good spark then look at your carb.

 

[R Geiger]

After you check the spark out and if it is good check for fuel flow thru the carb by removing the plug in the bottom of the carb and measuring the flow rate. It should fill a pint jar in 2 to 3 minutes. You have three filters, one in the tank, one in sediment bowl and one in the elbow in the carb where the fuel line connects.

 

[Dell (WA)]

Will.......keep yer itchy-twitchy fingers off'n them handy-dandy carb tweek'ums. understand???

One of the founding N-Board members in 1996, claimed 80% of all carb problems were found in the ignition.

When you ask about yer engine, ALWAYS tell us 6-or-12v and 4-nipple frontmount or 5-nipple sidemount.

What you are describing in classic weak sparkies. Enriching the mixture (choke) makes it eazier to fire.

Give us a "hint", how long do you run before you start having "problems". I flunked mind reading, ask my ex-wife........mindless Dell, yer self-appointed sparkie-meister

 

[lha]

Get yourself one of Dell's and now My secret weapon[I've seen them for several years at tune-up aisle],the ignition tester.It is very simple,and handy.Has a strong clip,to clip onto something handy and paint-free for a ground,a place to hookup the spark ,and an adjustable gauge to gap open and watch for sparkies!!!---lha

 

[lha]

Just went out and checked my "sparkies with tester[I'd advise you to get one]and it jumped a blue-white spark 5/16" across the gap! You should get one if for no other,just for fun,but don't forget,it's also great for checking ignition.Thanks Dell for reminding me of this tool.---lha

 

[coggonhick]

For the longest of times after I rebuilt my 8N the engine never sounded like it should, and when adjusting the carborater there would be no diffrence. Then when turning over the engine I herd a hissing sound coming from the muffler. We already replaced the muffler so we replaced the manifold and it worked perfectly!! Before we replaced the manifold we bought a new carborater and egnition system. Worst case, buy a new manifold.

 

[Will in Washington]

Thanks to all! I just got back from the hills, replaced the plugs in the 8N ... and it made a world of difference! I coulda swore it was a fuel thing. I just replaced the "sparkies" a year (or two or three) ago... and assumed they were good I suppose. The old gal is getting tired, blowing a little smoke ... but running pretty good again. Thanks again for the advice!