You guys never fail me! You’ve offered many very helpful suggestions! Let me respond on a few things and maybe it will narrow the problem…
I had no idea what a normal compression should be. I talked to a neighbor and he also said that 80 is very low, and may be part of the problem -- or another symptom. With compression that low, should I be thinking an overhaul?
Adjust valves: I had a cracked head (the tractor, not me) some years ago and bought a used head from a neighbor. I did not check it, did not do values – but I did check valve adjustment when I installed it. I realize now I should have done the values and had the head checked. I did buy a new intake manifold, but as I think about it, it has not run as good as it should since I replaced that head. A big mistake on my part…
Worn distributor: A couple of years ago, I bought a new distributor with electronic ignition. Are there other parts that could be worn that drive it? Or, should a new one solve the worn distributor theory?
Plug wires: Easy fix and something I can do. Cracked head/antifreeze. Tractor has not been run for a couple of days, I will try this test. Manifold leak: I will try the (propane) gas test, another easy test. And YES! It seems I can make it run better with the choke.
Low compression/engine cleaner: This one I don’t understand, what would I use and how would that help? I bought this tractor in the 80’s and it’s never been overhauled since I’ve had it, perhaps it’s due?
Plug gap: Another easy thing to try, I’ll give that one a try along with the other tests.
Again, thank you all for your helpful suggestions! I will report back on what I learn. If my responses and added information will help solve the problem, please let me know.
If I had to buy a head, what should I expect to pay? How about overhaul, any ballpark numbers?
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Today's Featured Article - Oil Bath Air Filters - by Chris Pratt. Some of us grew up thinking that an air filter was a paper thing that allowed air to pass while trapping dirt particles of a particles of a certain size. What a surprise to open up your first old tractor's air filter case and find a can that appears to be filled with the scrap metal swept from around a machine shop metal lathe. To top that off, you have a cup with oil in it ("why would you want to lubricate your carburetor?"). On closer examination (and some reading in a AC D-14 service manual), I found out that this is a pretty ingenious method of cleaning the air in the tractor's intake tract.
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