Timing mark styled B

Also anyone got a good system for starting these tractors? Our A is choke it for one full turn, choke off,throttle half open and it will fire everytime. Doesn't work on the B though..:)

~The ignition timing is about right when the mag snaps as the L/H impulse mark on the flywheel lines up with that cover mark as the flywheel is slowly turned in the starting direction.

~You should ALWAYS get a mag snap as those marks line up [at cranking speeds], if you don't, suspect a sticking mag impulse or other mag impulse related problem.

~If you have to pull start it to get it started after it sits for a while suspect oxidation on the points, or low compression. [try cleaning, or better yet replacing the points]

~It never hurts to install new spark plugs, more than a few have had their starting problems go away after a new set of spark plugs were installed.

~If the plug wires are old or deteriorated you should install new plug wires. Those mags don't have any power to spare so poor wires will really lower the spark to the plugs during starting. Use solid metal core wires [NOT automotive TVRS carbon core wires].

~What mag do you have on that tractor? Some mags have different problems when it comes to starting problems, if you give me the mag model & make maybe I can give you some specifics to look at.

~You might want to give it a cold [hand crank] compression test when it is starting good, then do it again when it won't start, then compare the readings. Low cranking compression can have a big effect on cold starting.

~Playing with the carb needle settings can also effect the starting. You might try about 1-3/4 turns backed out from seated on the idle needle & 1 turn out from seated on the load needle.

~As for starting procedures? You will have to try different choke & throttle settings. Mine like almost no throttle cold [just off the stop] with just a little less than full choke for the first turn or two then just a little less choke for each additional turn. They all vary a little on starting procedure so try every combination you can think on that "B"..... ..

If it wont fire "all the time" as you say, maybe you have a mag problem such as oxidized or burned or incorrect gapped points (a common problem) or a bad coil or condensor or a cap and/or rotor problem like a crack or carbon path or oil residue or maybe even you have a bad plug or a bad plug wire.

I would check the timing as I described above and see if and when the mag makes a good sharp loud snap as it needs to. If it has a weak spring or a bad wind and trip mechanism, it may not be producing a good spark and loud snap (the spring releasing) at hand crank speeds. It should fire just as the LH Impulse Flywheel mark passes the 3 o clock line, and it can cause flywheel kick back if too much before then or hard startign if too late. You change that timing (initial start timing) by loosenign the mags bolts and rotating it CCW to advance or CW to retard it.

Remove the plugs and with their wires attached and them up against the tractor frame, rotate the flywheel and see if the mag produces a good loud sharp snap and the plugs produce a good blue spark each time. Are the plugs in good shape and not all blackened up or oily or fouled??? if so, try a fresh set and see what the spark looks like. Be sure the wires are good and are wire core NOT auto suppressor carbon types.

if the tractor runs great but hard to start and the mag snap is weak and soft sounding, it may be a weak mag spring which causes a weak spark at hand crank speeds.

Take a look at the start timing, the condition of the wires and plugs and quality of spark, the condition of the points and gap and clean them if only gray oxidized (replace them if burned or pitted or carboned up bad), and check the cap for oil or cracks or carbon paths and check the rotor tip, and post back what you find and the type of mag and we will go from there. If the start timing is off or the points oxidized or burned or the plugs fouled (the most usual suspects, look at all those things first) or the cap or wires are bad, it can cause erattic firing.

My B likes full to 7/8 choke for both pistons over just once, then half choke or less to start, but many tractors all like different starting techniques.

Post back what you find and what the plugs spark looks like, and check the start timing and points and plugs (clean or replace plugs and points as needed) and check under the cap and maybe you will get the old girl up n running fine.

If all these ignition checks are good, then I will guide you through some minor carb checks and adjustments. Have you tweaked the top idle and load needles to see if conditions improve??? Are the plugs wet when you remove them??? Is the old girl putting out excess black smoke??? Does choking make her run better????

God Bless the USA, Please pray for our troops.

Ol John T Nordhoff in Indiana