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Harry Ferguson Tractors Discussion Forum
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Need help gettin her started

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BobinKY

03-06-2006 09:18:30




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I have finally arrived at that point where I am ready to start my old TO 35 gas (1955). I have rebuilt the carb, replaced every electrical component, rebuilt the starter and generator, and I have new everything on the instrument panel. I kept the six volt system but converted the distributor to the Petronix system with the 30,000 volt coil. All wiring is either 10 or 12 guage. I checked the carb when I rebuilt it to make sure the floats had no more than 1/4 inch movement as specified in the manuals. I did notice that the metering needle is not moving as freely as I would like it when the floats move up and down. I can grab it with my fingers and easily remove it, but when I stick it in the seat it will not ride on the float. I tried the other night to turn the tractor over. Good rotation, strong starter, but she never hit a lick. I checked the spark by holding the wire close to the end of the spark plug and I have a very weak spark. It is blue, but it is very small. I really don't know if I have copper core wires or not. I cannot tell if gas is getting into the cylinders. Any suggestions on where to start to troubleshoot this old girl? I have cleaned up, rebuilt or replaced virtually everything without taking the engine apart. She ran good before the previous owner started it on fire and burnt up the wiring from the generator. Your thoughts or direction would be greatly appreciated.

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Jerry/MT

03-06-2006 11:01:39




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 Re: Need help gettin her started in reply to BobinKY, 03-06-2006 09:18:30  
You need to have three things before an engine in resonable mechanical condition will start;the right fuel air ratio, a fat, bluish spark, and the spark at the right time.
By your own admission you have a very weak spark so you'll have to get that right before you worry about the fuel system. You have a Pertronix electronic ignition and they usually require a 12V negative ground system to operate. Do you have special electronic ignition that's designed for 6 volt positive ground? If you don't, this maybe your problem. There should be a 1-800 number you can call Pertronix for tech support. I would advise you to do it before you do anything else. I have a Pertonix with a standard coil on my 12V TO-30 and she fires off in a quarter turn of the engine. There is no reason why you should have weak spark with their ignition system IF it's the right one for your electrical system and your wiring is connected properly. Check all the connection with the key on for battery voltage to the coil. If you don't have battery voltage to the coil find out why. Regarding the spark plug wires, you really should have copper wire. You can pull a wire out of the distributor cap and look to see if the terminal has a bit of copper wire on it. If it doen't replace them with copper ignition wires. they're cheap(about $15 for set). When you get the ignition system to throw a fat, bluish spark make sure that your fuel delivery system is supplying adequate fuel to the carburetor. There is usually a plug at the bottom of the carb that drains the fuel bowl. Open the fuel valve, hold a container under the plug, remove the plug and the fuel should CONTINUOUSLY GUSH OUT for at least 30 seconds. If it does'nt, you have an obstruction in the fuel delivery system. It could be at the filter/screen above the sediment bowl, at the "secret filter" in the fuel supply elbow at the carb, or the supply tube in the tank can be clogged. The other thing you need to have is spark at the right time. When you get or verify the spark and the fuel are right, drop a note back and I'll tell you an easy way to do that.

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BobinKY

03-06-2006 13:12:55




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 Re: Need help gettin her started in reply to Jerry/MT, 03-06-2006 11:01:39  
Thanks Jerry. I will go through those things on Tuesday evening and get back to this forum. I really appreciate the help. The old tractor has been a labor of love and I am really enjoying it.



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George in Spokane

03-08-2006 16:40:08




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 Re: Need help gettin her started in reply to BobinKY, 03-06-2006 13:12:55  
I had the same weak spark on my TO-35 rebuild. It's hard to tell what "weak" is. Spark wasn't my problem, it was fuel.

Pull the spark plugs and squirt some starter fluid in the cylinders. If it starts then you have at least eliminated weak spark and can down Jerry's good list.



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