John Deere 60 Timing Help

[Bill Becker]

I put a new distributor on my 60 and it ran good for about 5 minutes and started to spit and sputter really bad. Could this be caused by not having the correct timing of the distributor? Both spark plugs are getting spark. If it is a timing issue, how to I go about getting this timed right? Any pictures would help. Thank you.

 

[used red MN]

On a forum we only know what you tell us. Not knowing if the distributor came with the points in place ready to install. My question is did you check for loose primary circuit connections, for the points being installed tight and gapped correctly? Not sure if the distributor on a 2 cylinder spins fast enough to through grease on the points contacts if they were over greased. Unfortunately a new distributor does not mean that it is a flawless part. Timing if it is not moving some how should basically have a consistent affect on how the engine runs. If it is off it should basically run the same the first minute as it did the 5th minute. There may be a small possibility that the mechanical advance is sticking. Usually bad timing does not allow it to run fine several minutes and then start spitting and sputtering.

 

[Mark-Ia]

I would replace the condenser first.

 

[560Dennis]

Clean points (with clean business card what I use) .Get the oxidation point contact protection off the points .Is that distr been repainted ? Might not be grounded .

 

[PJH]

I would replace the condenser first.

I agree on the condenser. A bad condenser will drive you crazy. If the OP's tractor ran good for 5 minutes and then went nuts, it would make me suspect the condenser. The replacement distributer should be timed correctly, and all of the JD manuals will describe the timing process.