Ferguson TO20

[ROGER A. BROWN]

I have a 49 TO20. Fouling on all plugs, especially #3 cylinder. I am considering converting to 12 volt.
Right now, I cannot get it to start. It cranks and cranks, gets spark, but no go. How difficult is it to do a conversion to 12 volt? Also, which spark plug is recommended for the TO20? I have seen Autolite 216 called for as well as Champion D-16. I believe it requires a non-resistor plug. Thanks in advance.

 

[Richard L]

Autolite 3116 is what most are recommending now. You do not need to worry about converting to 12v until you get it running properly. Once running properly it is your decision to change over if you want not hard at all. Are you getting a great big fat white spark? You should. You should do a compression test to help decide what is fouling the plugs. Are you getting fuel to the cylinders?

 

[Don Hooks*]

Just a foot note to Richard"s advice: If you are thinking about a 12V conversion to fire the plugs hotter it won"t happen. The 6V coil determines the plug voltage and you will have to either put a resistor in series with it or replace it with a 12V coil (it will burn out on 12V otherwise). The only thing 12V will give you is a higher cranking speed. If you can"t get good spark with the current coil and everything esle is OK then you might need a new coil. Oil fouling is from wear - usually the valve guides go first. If the compression check is low and sealing the cylinder with some oil doesn"t help it the guides are probably gone. If the wet test (with oil) is OK then it is likely rings. There are several threads on this forum on compression testing.

 

[Dave in Utah]

Roger,

Sorry, 6 more volts won't fix it. You've probably got a lack of fuel and probably an oil control problem. Was it running ok and then cut out? Check fuel, spark and timing and you'll probably find the culprit. The "best" plug seems to be Autolite 3116 non-resistors. And a set of copper core wires if you can find them. A 12V system is going to fire the plugs with about the same voltage as a proper 6V system.

With oil fouling plugs you might want to do a compression check. I was able to bring my '51 TO20 up about 10lbs. per cylinder just using the old ATF in the spark plug hole method. Cheap. If you're sucking oil thru the valve stems this isn't going to help much.

I believe NAPA still sells non-fouling adapters which move the plug out of the combustion chamber a bit. Old time cure all.

There are several 12V kits that are not too difficult to install. Whether to go 12V is a choice based on several factors the least of which may be curing hard starting. Ease of finding parts is a big one. And never changing brushes for that old Delco genny.

Good Luck,
DB