Starting problem has me stumped.

[m35a2]

So heres the background. I bought a "ran when parked" 52 8N that had a bad starter drive and ring gear. After replacing both it cranked over fine but would not start. Determined it to be a fuel problem and sure enough found the venturi was missing from the carb. Overhauled the carb and re-installed it. It roared to life in about half crank and ran smooth but smoked pretty bad. After about five minutes of running the engine gradually slowed and came to a stop.

Have not been able to get it to start again. It has good spark, fuel appears to be fine and the lifters are properly adjusted. The most I get now is a weak stumble while being cranked. I have not done a compression test yet but other than that is there anything else I should look into?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[DollarBill]

fuel appears to be fine

To test proper fuel flow, pull the plug from the bottom of carburetor and hold a bucket under it. It should pee a continuous stream for at least 30 seconds. If your tractor is unmolested, there are three strainers in the fuel system. One on top of the sediment bowl inside the tank, one on the bottom of the sediment bowl outside the tank and one in the 90 degree brass fitting that screws into the side of the carburetor. Your symptoms point to one of these being clogged.

 

[Tom N MS]

Plugs are likely fouled also if it was "smoking pretty bad"-clean em good at least with spray carb cleaner then blow em dry with compressed air.

 

[old]

I would start by putting say a 1/4 cup of ATF in each cylinder. I would then drive to town and buy some auto lite 437 plugs since the ones you have are most likely fouled. One that has sat will most likely have sticking rings and that can cause one to smoke bad and be low on compression

 

[m35a2]

Well it turned out there was about 2 gallons of gas in the oil pan. "ran when parked" meant ran till the motor locked up then left it parked. :roll:

All the main/rod bearings were all spun and pistons/sleeves toast. Sent the crank out and surprisingly they only had to go .010" under on all the journals. Ordered an overhaul kit from YT and finished it off with a nice valve job. She starts instantly now! Looks kind of funny having a shiny clean motor in an old faded and ratty tractor but it gets used almost daily and has been quite the little work horse.

 

[DollarBill]

Good job!! Just in time for shoveling snow!!

 

[m35a2]

(quoted from post at 03:23:08 01/08/12) Good job!! Just in time for shoveling snow!!

No way, if the snow ever comes this year I plan on pushing it!