[AT] Spark Plug Fouling Ferguson TO20

[Cecil Bearden]

That tractor is recommended to use 30w in summer and 20W in winter.  
multi-grade oils don't work as well in the older engines as they do not 
get hot enough for the viscosity modifiers to work.   Your sig line 
states Falcon, CO, definitely cooler than OK, so I would check to make 
sure my thermostat was working to keep the engine hot enough.  It is 
possible that you carburetor is running a little rich.  Worst case is 
the oil ring is bad on that cylinder.  At your altitude, I would use at 
least 89 octane gasoline.  In the old days there was a high compression, 
high altitude piston for that tractor at that altitude.  Tractor supply 
used to offer a high altitude piston and sleeve set.   The sleeve set 
available for that tractor is the overbore set with 3.375 pistons the 
original was the 3.125 pistons.   The high altitude pistons were 
domed...  I do not find a listing for hte high altitude pistons.  That 
tractor is not exceptionally difficult to rebuild, nor is it a time 
consuming job to rebuild.  The last one I overhauled took 3 days to do, 
and that included cleaning and the head work.  The parts for a running 
engine should not cost over $550.  If you pay attention to the bearing 
wear, etc. you might be able to reuse a lot of parts, if you mark and 
save them.
Cecil

On 6/23/2019 5:29 PM, Szakaluk wrote:
> Request advice or suggestions on what I can do to reduce fouling on #4 
> spark plug on my 1951 Ferguson TO-20, here or to me direct.
>
> I've had it since 1990, only use it 8 or 10 hours a year. Field 
> mowing, snow removal, wood splitting (auger).
>
> Using 10W30 oil, Champion D21 plugs, which I understand is a hot plug 
> for this application.
>
> At first, I could go twenty or 25 hours between plug 
> fouling/cleaning.  Only #4 is a problem, others are fine. Using very 
> little oil.
>
> Now I need to clean #4 every six or seven hours.
>
> Appreciate your suggestions on how I can reduce this issue.  I know 
> someday the engine should be worked on, but with this limited annual 
> use I can't justify tearing it down.
>
> Heavier oil?
> Different plugs?  If so, on all cylinders, or just #4?
> Oil additives?
> Other thoughts?
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Steve Zakaluk
> szakaluk at aol.com
> Falcon, CO
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> AT mailing list
> AT at lists.antique-tractor.com
> http://lists.antique-tractor.com/listinfo.cgi/at-antique-tractor.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.antique-tractor.com/pipermail/at-antique-tractor.com/attachments/20190623/64122a6f/attachment.htm>