[AT] Easier to Start?

[Ben Wagner]

Hi Charlie,

Thank you for your very detailed breakdown on cleaning my carb.  I 
actually hesitate to tear back into it, since I have taken it apart 
three times since the restoration in hopes of finding the elusive 
problem.  I have eliminated most recently:

~fuel flow
~clogged/constricted main jet
~trash around the float needle/seat
~trash in the passages

If my carb is indeed clean, and assuming my air filter is working 
properly, what other problems might I have to cause the engine to only 
run on half choke?

On another note, on my 1945 A, I have a "needle valve main jet 
adjustment" screw that allows me to adjust the mixture.  It screws into 
the main jet.  In the Super A parts book, the screw is listed, but it is 
listed as only available on kerosine/distillate engines. I'm assuming, 
then, that it is not needed for a gasoline engine, correct?

Thanks to everyone for their help so far!

Ben Wagner


On 7/15/2012 11:55 PM, charlie hill wrote:
> Oh and while you are at it take the fuel line off and blow carb cleaner
> through it (assuming it still has the factor metal fuel lines on it) and
> blow compressed air through it and repeat until you're sure there is no
> trash, rust, scale or gunk in it.  Check your sediment bowl strainer and
> make sure it is right and clean.  If someone has put an inline fuel filter
> on it take it off that might well be part or all of your problem.  Most of
> the inline fuel filters you see are designed for a pressurized system and
> don't gravity flow enough fuel to feed the carb on an updraft system.
>
> Charlie
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ben Wagner
> Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 9:03 PM
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group ; Farmall/IHC mailing list
> Subject: [AT] Easier to Start?
>
> Good Evening,
>
> It's been awhile since I have had to bring you an issue on my Farmall
> Super A.  It has always been hard to start, taking a long time of
> cranking (normally two periods of three seconds each) before it will
> begin to fire.  Lately, the electrical system has acted up, and I am
> trying to start it with a hand crank.  It's great exercise, but not the
> greatest use of my time.  It took a good 20 some turns with the hand
> crank to get it to start firing tonight.  I'm surprised my arm can still
> type!
>
> Is there any sort of "trick" some of you know of to convince a tractor
> to start easier with a hand crank?
>
> In case it is important, the Super A has a good magneto, D21 spark
> plugs, and a Zenith carb.  It also only runs well on half choke, and
> there are no adjustments on the Zenith beyond the idle mixture.  I know
> the impulse coupling works, unless I am mistaken.
>
> Thanks for your help.  I'm sure all of you have had the tractor that
> won't start well with a hand crank!
>
> Ben Wagner
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