[AT] A Few Questions

[Ben Wagner]

Hi everyone,

I've got a few questions concerning my 1945 Farmall A.  I just started it up
for the first time in four months yesterday after a paint job.  I'll number
the questions so that they are easier to reference.

1.  The tractor runs fabulously.  It starts right up, even after sitting for
four months, and is the most dependable engine I could want in an old
tractor.  My only objection is that the engine surges whenever I adjust the
throttle, unless I slowly creep the throttle up or down.  The surging stops
if I slow the engine down.  My other tractor, the 1948 Super A, will also
surge but only when the choke is not adjusted at exactly 1/2 choke.  The
1945 A will not run well unless the choke is completely open.  Because the
engine on the 1945 A runs so well, I hesitate to do any adjustments on the
carb.  Does anyone have any advice?  I can live with the surging, even
though it is a little irritating, but I would like to be able to advance the
throttle without the concern of the surging.

2.  I used the tractor this winter before a paint job for snow removal.  I
remember thinking that the engine sounded incredibly loud.  Yesterday, I had
both tractors out, and the 1945 engine sounds much louder than the 1948
Super A.  I'm wondering if the muffler is working, since the muffler is
original "Stanley" vintage.  Is there any way to clean the soot out of the
muffler, without taking it to a muffler shop?

On the other hand, if the muffler is fine, which is something I may test
soon with my other tractor, what would make the engine sound like a two
cylinder?  It has a distinctive "putt-putt" versus the smoothness of the
Super A, although the Super A is not as good an engine.  Like I mentioned, I
really don't want to mess with the engine since it runs so well.  I'm
halfway wondering if the modern ethanol gasoline is part of the problem!
But then again, the muffler could not be working, causing me to hear the
pure engine firing.

3.  This question is for anyone who has adjusted, or knows how to adjust, a
Farmall A, B, or C series clutch.  The clutch only begins grabbing when the
pedal is about 1/2 to 1 inch from being completely up.  There is no
freeplay.  How can I adjust the clutch to give me a little freeplay and a
longer engagement travel?

Thanks for your help.

Ben Wagner