engine sputtering

[Jim(FL)]

I have a 46 ford 2n front mount distributor with 12 volt conversion. Tractor was running rough few weeks ago. I changed the plugs/wires (really old)cleaned out filter bowl, drained carb bowl of any debris. Tractor has been running great until today, started it up, ran it around to hook up implement, while idling when hooking up it started running really bad and almost shut off, pulled back on throttle a little, it revved up a bit but started sputtering again, barely made it back to shed to park. Shut it off and restarted, same thing, barely even running sounds like not getting gas or spark, not sure? disconnected fuel line to see if getting fuel (plenty) tweaked on main carb adjusty thing, no fix. checked plug wires(all connected)took out carb bowl plug(no trash) but when I disconnect the breather tube fuel runs out. First question- is fuel running out at breather tube connect normal. Second question- could my problem be carb or the points and if the points how do I change them.

 

[Lumpy]

I'm going to answer your second question like this... it could be both! As far as fuel running out of the air cleaner tube, no this is not normal. You have debris holding the needle valve open in the carb which allows fuel to run constantly. The fact that there is fuel in the air tube is creating a super rich air/fuel mixture causing the sputtering- too much gas. I would take the carb off and dismantel it. Give it a good cleaning if not rebuild it. Then I would go after the points.

 

[Jim(FL)]

Thanks for the reply, thats answers a lot to know that the fuel in air breather tube is not normal. I will remove carb tommorrow. Thanks.

 

[Jim(FL)]

rebuilt the carb yesterday, found main jet needle bent, tractor is running now and has power to work but still isnt running real good. Sounds like engine is loping and not running smooth, I adjusted the carb according to post by Dell(WA). Anbody have any ideas what else I could do to get it right. BTW, I was very careful in rebuild to make sure all parts were installed correctly and had no left overs.