[Farmall] "H" running a little rough

[Mike Sloane]

I have been led to believe that the current formulation of WD-40 is not 
as flammable as the previous one. Years ago, one of the best uses for 
WE-40 was for chasing down intake exhaust leaks - you sprayed it on the 
intake manifold, and when it got sucked into the engine through a leak, 
the engine would speed up. But that doesn't seem to work these days.

And Charlie is right - I forgot to mention the spark plug wires in my 
previous note - those old cracked high tension wire leak spark like an 
old rubber garden hose. A good trick is to run the tractor on a dark 
night - sometimes you will see an amazing light show all around the 
ignition system. Also listen for the "snap, snap, snap" of a spark 
jumping between two wires or from a wire to ground.

Mike

cvill wrote:
> Tim,
> 
> Make absolutely sure the exhaust pipe is covered so it takes on no 
> water.  Beyond that your plug wires probably leak a little spark when 
> damp.  Wet them down with WD-40.  Wet the cap and the head of the coil 
> too if it has a coil. (distributor ignition)  This should solve the 
> problem for at least several months which will allow you to replace 
> wiring whenever you get around to it, assuming that is the problem.  It 
> may be a good policy to let the WD-40 air dry for a day before starting 
> the tractor.   I have never had a fire problem from doing the WD-40, but 
> we do not want your new H to turn into a candle.
> 
> Charlie V.
> 
> 
> Tim Savelle wrote:
>> The guy I bought my 1949 "H" from kept it in a nice, enclosed shop with a
>> concrete floor.  The day I checked it out, he hit the starter switch and it
>> fired up immediately....and then "purred like a kitten."  I don't have a
>> nice, enclosed shop (yet), so my "H" has to stay outside for the time
>> being.  We've had 3 or 4 days of rain and chilly, damp weather this past
>> week.  The tractor is now a little difficult to start (doesn't "catch" as
>> quickly), and it runs a little rough until it warms up.  Could having to
>> stay outside with constant exposure to the dampness cause this?