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Case Tractors Discussion Forum
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1952 VAC Starting Problem

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James

06-20-2004 14:31:57




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I am new to tractor restoration and have started with a 1952 Case VAC. I have replaced the 6 volt battery, Battery cables (2 gauge), Spark Plugs, and carburator. The Dist cap and points are in good condition, as are the wires. I can get it to turn over (albit slow) but it only fires every now and then. If I hook up a 12v battery my chances are better but that is cheating. When it fires it runs smooth with little to no smoke. What am I missing to make it start reliably???

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Kevin Barton

09-08-2004 09:02:38




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 Re: 1952 VAC Starting Problem in reply to James, 06-20-2004 14:31:57  
I restored my case vac about four years ago. I remember that the tractor did have a hard time starting. I had the starter rebuilt and also the generator rebuilt. Try to start the tractor with the generator disconnected to see if there is a possiblity that you are shorting the system out with the generator. The battery should have enough volts to start it and keep it running. I went ahead a converted the system to 12 volts. The generator was rebuilt and the rebuilder said I could run it on 12 volts. The tractor is still a positive ground system. The generator would have to be changed internally to make it a neg ground system. The only thing I had to do is change the coil to a 12 volt coil, your points will burn up if you use the 6 volt coil on a 12 volt system. I got a regulator from napa autoparts store to control the generator. I am not where my tractor is right now but I could get you the regulator number if you are interested, just email me. Also check the timing of the points. The case manual from case international tells how to set it and my tractor starts on the first turn over every time

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Jim

06-22-2004 16:06:38




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 Re: 1952 VAC Starting Problem in reply to James, 06-20-2004 14:31:57  
I grew up with VAC tractors, but just learned something a few days ago. The spark plugs wires are held in place with a wooden block. If this gets wet, it will short out the spark plugs, and the engine will fire eratically.



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Paul f

06-20-2004 16:15:51




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 Re: 1952 VAC Starting Problem in reply to James, 06-20-2004 14:31:57  
In warm weather 2 ga should be adequate assuming battery is OK. (have you cleaned all the connections and ground point...remember VACs are Positive ground) Have you checked the point gap??
Cranking speed really should not be an issue for starting if points and plugs are in good shape, after all you should be able to start it with a hand crank.



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James

06-20-2004 17:31:03




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 Re: Re: 1952 VAC Starting Problem in reply to Paul f, 06-20-2004 16:15:51  
All my conections are clean. I have cleaned and re-gaped the points and plugs. A new coil has been installed. I even went so far as to find a 6v starter solonid and wired the tractor to a key starter switch instead of the push button. I have however wired it conventional with a neg ground. I didn't think this would mater as long as I repolarized the generator. Does it?? Any other suggestions?? I am stumped.

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C. Amick

06-21-2004 09:48:09




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 Re: Re: Re: 1952 VAC Starting Problem in reply to James, 06-20-2004 17:31:03  
Could you be loosing too much amperage through the key switch? Might take a heavy wire and jump it across and see if that helps. Otherwise, I figure your starter needs cleaned. Sometimes the armature gets dirty and the brushes don't make good contact.



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Jerry W

06-21-2004 05:19:03




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 Re: Re: Re: 1952 VAC Starting Problem in reply to James, 06-20-2004 17:31:03  
James

The generator does not mind which ground +/- is used but the regulator does.

It should not hurt your starting however. Have you checked the current (amp) draw of the starter.

Jerry



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mj

06-20-2004 20:51:21




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 Re: Re: Re: 1952 VAC Starting Problem in reply to James, 06-20-2004 17:31:03  
Do you have the positive wire from the ignition switch going to the + terminal on the coil? Does it start if you hand crank it? Handcranking eliminates the voltage drop to the coil caused by the starter motor. If it does start and run with the hand crank look for a bad connection that is causing excessive voltage drop. Could it be that you have the ignition wire hooked up to the 'start' terminal of the ignition switch instead of the 'ignition' terminal?

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James

06-21-2004 07:32:51




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: 1952 VAC Starting Problem in reply to mj, 06-20-2004 20:51:21  
I have not checked the amp draw of the starter. That could be my problem. I will attempt to hand start with the ignition on. I have also re-wired to positive ground to eliminate this (coil wire switched from pos to neg, battery turned around). My spark at the distributor is weaker than I would like so the amp draw on the starter makes sense. If my starter is bad (high amp draw) how do I fix it?? Also what amp draw is normal.

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klyde

06-21-2004 10:26:09




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: 1952 VAC Starting Problem in reply to James, 06-21-2004 07:32:51  
usual cause of too much starter draw is poor feild insulation. if you remove starter and disassemble- hook to case and to terminal with jumpers and measure current draw. should be 0 with armature out of the picture.



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