What you are describing is a symptom of weak spark. There are basically 2 reasons for this, either there is not enough voltage at the coil during cranking, or there is weak spark due to an ignition problem.
If everything is working correctly, on a low compression, 6 cylinder engine, there will be plenty of power to run both the starter and ignition system. Sometimes several things can add up to cause the problem.
A good place to begin is to check all the electrical connections, battery cables, grounds (especially where the ground cable connects to the engine block), starter cable, even under the dash at the amp meter and back of the ignition switch. A bad connection will show up as being corroded, loose, discolored from heat.
The starter is a common cause of weak spark during cranking. If the bushings are worn, the armature will drag on the field magnets, causing the starter to draw too much current. Typical symptoms are slow cranking when the engine is hot, or cold weather-cold engine start up. Also the battery cables will tend to heat up. The Delco starter is field rebuildable. New brushes, bushings, and starter drive will usually make it good as new for minimal cost.
As for the ignition system, it could simply be time for a tune up. Worn plugs will do exactly what you are describing. Anything that weakens the spark (bad points/condenser, points out of adjustment, low voltage to the coil primary side, weak coil) can contribute. Then there is spark delivery, plug wires, cap, and rotor. Resistor wires can break down internally, wire core wires can leak through old insulation. Look under the distributor cap, be sure the carbon contact is in place where the rotor contacts the cap.
Another clue, a weak ignition system will generally be more troublesome in damp weather, and can cause misfire under load.
As for the electronic conversion kits, I've never had a problem with one. They are a great solution for a distributor with worn bushings, and with the questionable quality of today's points and condensers, the kit is a real problem solver.
Upload one or more videos to your post. Photo filesizes should be less than 300K and Videos, less than 2MB. Formats allowed are gif, jpg, png, ogg, mp4, mov, and avi. Be sure to use filenames without spaces or special characters, and filetypes of 3 digits lower case.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Good As New - by Bill Goodwin. In the summer of 1995, my father, Russ Goodwin, and I acquired the 1945 Farmall B that my grandfather used as an overseer on a farm in Waynesboro, Georgia. After my grandfather’s death in 1955, J.P. Rollins, son of the landowner, used the tractor. In the winter 1985, while in his possession the engine block cracked and was unrepairable. He had told my father
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
2022 John Deere 5045E, 4wd, front end loader and 3rd function with grapple. 120 hrs, 55k new, must sell
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.