8N misfire.

[whereswaldo]

Hi all. I've been using the bushog today and got a couple acres cut when the distributor points got too crusty to let it run. So, new points and condenser and all was fine for roughly half an hour, then it began misfiring and I thought it was running out of gas. Nope, it had plenty of good flow out the carb bottom. My test light blinks in unison with the points, even as it runs rough and DIES. Any ideas? There IS spark at the plugs but it isn't very bright; it was fine earlier.

 

[Bruce (VA)]

6v or 12v?

Front or side distributor?

You need about 20kv or to get a good spark. Your light will come on at half that voltage.

Toss the light and get an adjustable gap plug checker. Its not rhe color of the spark that counts its the distance it jumps. Open it to 1/4". Confirm spark before you do anything else. If you do not have access to a spark checker, open an old plug tp 1/4 " and see if it jumps the gap.
75 Tips

 

[whereswaldo]

Hello Bruce. It's a side distributor (forgot some 8N's had front style) On 'old's' advice, I put the old condenser back in. Changed nothing except that one item. Bumped the starter and it immediately started with the PTO engaged! Last time I had a bad condenser was in the early 70's and this one being new, I couldn't believe it would be bad from the get go. Reason for changing points and condenser was it quit suddenly and cleaning the points helped for 30 seconds. Several times I did this so I finally bought what seems to be part of a set. Thanks; this is a VERY informative place.