Oliver 550 won't start.

[Touringgt99]

Hello All.
This is my first post after joining this site! Happy holidays to everyone! 😊
I’ve recently had the privilege of inheriting my grandfather-in-law’s 1968 Oliver 550 tractor with loader. I’m kind of excited because this is my first tractor! You have to start somewhere, I guess.
Over the holidays, I brought the tractor inside a heated garage to try and get her running. To the best of my knowledge, she’s been kept in a covered barn and not been started for 15-20 years!!! She’s WELL used but in remarkable condition after all these years. She was backed into the barn, parked and been sitting there ever since.
I’ve done all the usual things to begin with. Changed all the fluids, changed the spark plugs, verified and cleaned the points & condenser and added some fresh gas. The tank was surprisingly bone dry and perfectly clean! After my first attempt at a start, after putting fresh gas, the carb had gas pouring out the intake as fast as I was adding. No problem. Purchased a complete carb kit and had a local guy perform the clean and rebuild. Everything went well, even the float was in great condition.
On the 2nd attempt, she turns over very well. Avg 150 compression in each cylinder. Correct firing order of 1-2-4-3. Very good spark. She just absolutely refuses to start. Removed the plugs… all dry. Seems to be no gas getting into the cylinders?! When cranking, there is a ‘strong’ suction at the carb intake. Can anybody give me some insight as to what I should be checking?! It’s like the gas is not atomizing?! Can’t figure out how after all that cranking that the cylinders and plugs are bone dry.
Just FYI, I’m definitely no mechanic, but know enough to get me in trouble! lol
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Mike









 

[Touringgt99]

Very sorry guys. I have no idea how I managed to get the same picture 5 times in that post.
 

[rrlund]

If the plugs are dry, it's an indication that they're firing OK. If you want to know if you have gas to the cylinders, crank it over without the plugs firing, like taking off the coil wire or something, then see if the plugs are wet. If it was me, I'd shoot a little ether in the carb and see if it'll fire.
 

[Touringgt99]

Ok thanks for the tip.
I had it cranking without any plugs in. Just a bunch of 'dust' flying around inside. Probably some old carbon.
Would I have not seen some fuel at that point?
 

[greg krush]

I would verify correct firing order, could be 180 degrees out of time, have seen this many times. you can just swap leads across cap without removing distributor if is just 180 degrees off.
 

[super 55]

A couple of ideas. Did you disconnect the gas line at the carb and spin the engine to see if the fuel pump is pumping gas to the carb? If it isn"t, you"ll have to check the lines and filter. I know you said the carb was re-built, but there could be some crud picked up and clogging the jet. Also, check for air leaks at the intake manifold and carb gasket. That might explain the sucking at the carb. Let us know what you find out in the end. Good luck.
 

[Touringgt99]

[Touringgt99]

[scootergmc]

I don't normally recommend this, but I'd just shoot a little starting fluid in to see if it pops on its own. If it does, then you've narrowed it down to a fuel delivery problem.
 

[super99]

When you had the carb rebuilt, did you stuff a rag in the intake and forget to take it out when putting it back together? There should be a drain plug on the bottom of the carb, take it out and make sure the gas is getting into the carb. Use a glass jar and let it run for a couple of minutes to make sure you have fuel flow.
 

[rrlund]

Hold your hand over the intake on the carb while you're cranking on it. Sometimes the choke just isn't enough, especially if it hasn't been run in a while. Same goes if it's real cold.
 

[j williams]

Have you checked the muffler and exhaust pipe for obstruction possible mice or birds made nest in it Also to check firing at plugs take one out and with a pair of insulated handle pliers hold the plug
with it hooked up to spark plug wire against the motor block and have someone crank the motor over watch for spark. If no spark go back and check points and condenser also possible bad coil with no spark. Joe
 

[Touringgt99]

[Touringgt99]

[Touringgt99]