What Happened ?? Backfired and Died

Day before yesterday I got a scoop full and was
coming up the hill. Just after I topped the hill
and was on more level ground the tractor backfired
REALLY LOUD thru the muffler and the engine died.
I tried to start it back up and it wouldn't start.
I let it set for about 15 minutes, then it started.
My brother was with me and he said he saw a leak
around the exaust manifold. How can I tell for sure.
But it was running again so I kept working.

But it just didn't seem like it was running as well.
Runs like it did when it needed the air filter cleaned.
Plus it misses occasionally. Just doesn't run right.
Really hard to describe. I just know it ain't right.

Yesterday, coming up the hill with a scoop of dirt,
got almost to the top of the hill and it just died.
At least it didn't backfire this time.
I wasn't lugging the engine (much). Just coming
up the hill as normal. I sat there for about 5
minutes and it started back up. Like it was flooded.
Again, it was running so I kept working.
I worked the rest of the day till I got too low on gas.

I'm thinking I should clean the air filter again.
What else should I look at.
How can I tell if the exaust manifold is leaking.
How hard is it to change that gasket and how much.

Early 1949 8N converted to 12 volt.
I have an IT-F04 manual.

I have had the tractor for 2 and half years now
and it has run great all this time. Someone else
standing next to it may say it is still running
great. But to me, something just ain't right.
I want to find it and fix it.

Thanks for all the help ya'll give.

Pooh Bear

When I say I hit the pile pretty hard sometimes,
I mean hard enough to about knock me off the seat backwards.
I got the pile knocked down enough now I can do
all my scooping forward, so no more hard knocks like that.
I was worried I was gonna break something.

Thanks.

Pooh Bear

I had similar symptoms while plowing several years ago, and it took a complete flush of the fuel system to getter running smooth again.

HTH,

es

Could be the intake and exhaust manifold is loose and leaking not only exhaust but air into intake making a lean mixture.

Now.. after fire.. could be lots of things. How do you have the carb main jet setup? HAve you checked timing?

Got good spark? When she dies and won't start.. check spark.. if spark is good.. check fuel thru carb drain.

Soundguy

I'll be really curious to see what the guys have to say ... but you mentioned that you hit the pile pretty hard. Maybe your points moved and need to be adjusted? I seem to recall someone else having a similar problem a while back.

Good luck solving the problem!
Colin, MN

if it backfires, it might suggest timing problems