Farmall B hard starting

[Robert Irwin]

All,

Id appreciate any input on an issue Im having with my
Farmall B. Battery is charged, new battery cables and
new starter. I have had issues recently when cranking
the engine it barely cranks it over. But it will eventually
hit and start. I will preface that I just rebuilt the engine
a few months ago. However, I think the problem lies in
the ignition. Last night I realized when I have the
ignition switch in the off position, the engine rolls
over at ease when cranking. As soon as I pull the
switch up to the run position it reverts to a very slow
crank. I felt of all the ignition cables but dont feel any
that are warm. Suggestions on where I might start
looking for loss of amps? Thank you for your time.

 

[old]

Ignition timing advanced a bit to far will cause slow engine cranking or if still 6 volts cables being smaller then they should be will cause that

 

[Fixingfarmer]

Assuming its not just super cold out where you are the list is still the same. Age and condition of battery? Battery testers are handy little things. Your fully charged battery should be able to handle cranking with all the lights on so thats kind of the next test.
Is the mechanical switch for starting on top of the starter getting worn out? I used to have trouble with the super c and the farm store switches i ended up with a starter off a 140 on it finally and ran some cable to control with a different style foot pedal switch I actually hit with my hand instead of relying on the little copper plate hitting the starter with the original.
Unless something is way out of whack the ignition amp draw shouldnt be enough to slow down the starter. Advance will change when spark occurs but it shouldnt have any effects on it rolling over thats all mechanical. Final question. Does it do the same thing when jump started? Probably not so size of battery how many cca

 

[teddy52food]

Batt ign or magneto? Timing is like old said is too early. If batt. ign the advance may be stuck. If mag , does it snap before TDC?

 

[gab]

Two much timing.

 

[JD70/B]

Thank you all for the comments. I do recall having an issue getting the mag to snap when I was setting the timing after the rebuild.
Just to verify what you are all are saying, if the advance is not correct, it would cause the engine to barely roll over when trying to start? Just to clarify, when the ignition switch is in the off position, the engine rolls over with ease. Thank you

 

[old]

Yes the engine will spin over easier due the the fact the ignition isn't firing which it turn cause the push back on the piston so it makes it hard for the starter to turn it since it fires to soon so there is a kick back when it fires so the starter has to push past the kick

 

[JD70/B]

Thank you Old and everyone else that responded. I will go back and re-time it again.
Looking forward to reporting back good news.

 

[560Dennis]

Check the ground ,control box to battery,control box to differential.
what engine oil weight is in the crankcase ?

 

[kris Jensen]

Thank you Old and everyone else that responded. I will go back and re-time it again.
Looking forward to reporting back good news.

 

[kris Jensen]

hello. I had 44 farmal A. same as a B for ignition, starter etc. mine had rod that you used your foot to push.
rod was connected to switch on starter. this starter switch is very finicky, and if not lined up just right will cause starter
to malfunction. ask me how I know. after a year of frustration I took it apart, starter and all. cleaned everything and reinstalled
no change except double frustration. then I noticed that the switch seemed to have a very slight angle to it. repositioned and carefully
lined up everything and tightened switch. do so carefully, it only takes a 32nd of an inch to throw it off. then be very careful Putting on the cable
was where my problems all originated. if you over tighten the cable it will move the switch ever so little and starter may or may not work
after carefully mounting the switch and cable it started easily, even in cold weather.