2N rough run / overheat?

I figured it was a heat-related problem like the ignition switch, but when I started it up cold yesterday, it still ran very bad & needed the choke to stay running. As I turned it off after 30 seconds of running, I noticed a fair amount of exhaust-like smoke eminating from where the #1 exhaust manifold port meets the head. No apparent leaks or cracks there, though.

I checked the fuel lines, and they're still clean. When I checked the coolant, it was about 3 qts low. My fear is that my dad overheated the engine and cooked a valve or something. Is this likely?

I'm gonna pull off the distributor and carb today and check those over. I could probably do a compression test on the #2-4 cylinders, but removing the #1 plug is quite difficult due to the location of the bracket for the 12V alternator (it requires draining the coolant and removing a head bolt that runs into the water jacket.

The ignition switch is basically clean and looks fine at a glance. All the wire connections are clean. The balast resister was removed during the 12V conversion.

Any ideas?

When you say 3qts low.. are you meaning that you put in 3 qts and then the radiator was slap full? If so.. it is now over full... You only fill these N radiators up to just cover the core.. the top tank is expansion area.

Also.. check your oil for signs of water emulsion in it, and also.. next tiem you start it cold.. leave the cap off and look for compression bubbles, as well as combustion by-products in the radiator..
( you getting nice white smoke out the exhaust too? )

good luck

Soundguy

After that second running, the coolant looked clean. I'll check for bubbles & the condition of the motor oil next time I'm out there.

I didn't look at the exhaust color, but since the tractor is currently backed into an unlit shed, I probably couldn't have determined the color even if I had. I'm gonna try to move it back up to the garage next time. I hope it'll run well enough to make it there.

post what you find.

Soundguy

Iff'n yer coolant was 3qts low and you had "white smoke" (otherwize known as STEAM) emaninating from near your #1 exhaust manifold, yer probably blew yer headgasket and it was peeing out the gasket weakness. A blown headgasket will also cause missing and rough running. It should be intutuitively obvious iff'n ya gottsa blown headgasket.

Altho its probably a 99% probability that ya blew yer headgasket, why don't you PROVE ME WRONG by taking a compression test? So what iff'n yer 12 volt alternator bracket headbolt leaks? I've NEVER known anysort of brackettery to obstruct access to a sparkplug, thats dumb..... ....respectfully, Dell

The smoke from the exhaust was definitely NOT steam. It was also definitely not coming from an external portion of the exhaust gasket. It seemed to be coming from all around the #1 exhaust port. I'll try pulling the manifold & checking the gasket & surface condition. Was there originally supposed to be a manifold gasket on these old engines, or where the surfaces just supposed to be machined flat with no gasket?

Yes, positioning the bracket so that it blocked access to the #1 plug was stupid. I didn't do it, though -- my dad hired someone else to do the 12V conversion a few years ago. The more I work on this tractor, the less impressed I am with the job that guy did.

I'll try to do a compression test next time I'm out there. Perhaps I can find another kind of wrench that will fit with the bracket in place.

Prove me wrong, do a compression test, 'cuz yer descriptions are consistant with blown headgasket.

Yes, yer intake/exhaust manifold has 2 block gaskets and carb gasket. Warning: yer manifold nuts are special BRASS 5/8 hex for 7/16 studs. They are suppposed to "strip" if corroded tight. (replace them with NEW BRASS NUTS) The block studs are supposed to be torqued to 55 ft/lbs and the brass studnuts torqued to 27 ft/lbs..... ....Respectfully, Dell

By the way, Collier's dictionary, 1954 edition has, what I think, is a picture of a sheep farm in WASHINGTON STATE. Courtesy of DuPont de Nemours, Agriculture Dept and the US Dept. of Agriculture. It is in the "W" book, "W" standing for woolen socks. :})

Jeff