Performance Troubleshooting

Snitkerb

Member
Currently working on a 48' 8n. Did an engine
overhaul last year, everything else seemed good.
Runs, but would have to have choke near full, so
just rebuilt carb. It starts without starter fluid now,
but still having to keep choke near full. Played with
adjustments, sounds great until choke is let off. Gas
lines are clear, new plugs, carb rebuilt, but still
"starving" for gas. Anyone have some ideas what
I'm missing?
 
Carefully check the manifold nuts for tightness, and the carburetor to manifold connection(2 bolts). Hopefully you replaced the manifold gasket and the carburetor to manifold gasket.The engine is drawing in too much air causing it to run very lean.
 
Do you know the manifold bolt size? Think I'll replace those if I'm gonna pull the manifold off again, they were near stripped last time. I did put new gaskets when I did the overhaul, but your right, best place to try next.
 
6v or 12v?

If it's 12v, tell us what resistors you are using.

Pulling out the choke gives you a richer mixture. So, you could have either a fuel or spark problem.

A carb out of adjustment will also cause this problem; set the main jet at 1-1/2 turns out & leave it alone.

A dirty carb can cause the problem as well; start by cleaning the fuel screens.

Dirty/old gas, or water in the gas can cause this problem.

Restricted fuel flow can cause this problem; remove the bolt at the bottom of the carb & check for flow.

On my 1950 frontmount, needing choke to run is the first sign that the points need adjusting/replacing.

A vacuum leak can do the same thing. Get a hand propane torch and carefully spray it (unlit of course) around the intake manifold at the carb to manifold interface & the manifold to block gasket of the tractor while it is running. Or, you can use carb cleaner or WD40. If it speeds up, you found the leak. Sometimes (rarely) manifolds crack or get rust holes.

Lastly, when all else fails, you could have an air leak around the carb metering section. The likely suspects are leaky throttle shaft seals and/or a worn throttle shaft. Or, just a real dirty carb w/ clogged passages.

Bottom line: Probably 90% of "needs choke to run" problems are fuel related, but do not rule out ignition problems, contrary to what others may tell you. I?ve had that very same problem before w/ a rebuilt carb, fresh fuel & good flow & a tight manifold.......and it was a spark problem. But, that was unusual. Just check the likely fuel problems first.

Please be sure to post back & let us know what the fix was. We all learn something if you tell us what worked!

The nuts are brass, 7/16-20 x 5/8, NAPA part number STN104X, 27 lbs of torque. Fastenal has them for about $1.50 each; part number 75133.
75 Tips
 
First off simple trouble shooting should be done.
Is your spark a good blue/white and jumps a 1/4 inch gap or more??
You say you rebuilt he carb but did you soak it over night in a good carb cleaner and then did you poke out all the passageways with a piece of wire or as I use a torch tip cleaner tool. Very easy to have some rust or dirt etc in the passageways that air or spray carb cleaner will not clean the passageway out as needed
 
Snitkerb.........starving fer gas??? You do know the N-Carbie is GRAVITY fed and there's a dome at the front of the gas tank with a vent that mud-daubbers like to clog up. Surprizing enuff, a VACUUM will stop yer carbie from runnin' like it is starving fer gas. They make a VENTED gas cap fer NAA and 100-series Ford Tractors. ($20, cheap) .......Dell
 
Here's the update:

Pulled the manifold off and used a high temp gasket seal, there were some leaks that appeared to be just exhaust escaping. Sealed it all nonetheless. Started it last night, used some starter fluid to get it fired up, also had the gas cap off to ensure no vaccum. Carb has been cleaned well, gas lines clear, fairly new gas, still running with choke. With everything I've done it runs well at about 1/2 choke....so doing the sealer helped. What do y'all suggest as my next step to look?
 
What do you call "cleaned well?"
Has a wire passed thru each & every passage, one end to the other, shown here?
 
(quoted from post at 13:45:16 02/25/16) I did soak it, but not what your picture shows, will try
that...
ome of the intersecting passages can be difficult to verify, but can be done by touch & visuals.
 
Alright, did some more work and here's where I'm at. Carb has been rebuilt, cleaned twice, and it would run fairly well with about 1/2 choke. Actually had the harrow out and drug the arena today. Everything sounded right, no misfires, or pops, timing sounded "on". I had tried everything on the gas side (adjusted main/idle screws, removed gas cap in case of vaccum, lines are clean as well). So I looked into my distributer....did a "master tune up kit" (new distributer cap, condenser, points, and spark plugs) with that, it idles on the low end quite nicely, but it will not get up in rpms. And still running with some choke....ideas??
 
Yesterday's Tractor Forums

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top