[AT] Project Updates '49 A, '51 A, and '47 B

Wed May 6 19:23:55 PDT 2020

49A

Pull one spark plug and hold it against the head while you try to start, verify you get a spark. If you don’t then you may have a magneto that is grounded somewhere, the magneto wire to the distributor cap has is open circuited, bad condenser, cracked distributor cap.

To check the magneto connect the spark plug with its wire directly to the magneto and see if you get a spark when holding the spark plug against the head. To check the distributor cap for a crack, try cranking the engine at night with no lights on in the garage. If there is a crack, you may see blue flashes of arc where the crack is. To check the condenser, just replace it since it’s difficult to check them. Disconnect any shut down circuits to the magneto to verify that you don’t have a bad kill switch.

You can also replace the magneto with a coil to see if you get it to run. Just do a temporary install in the same manner as you wire up for a tractor with coil.

51A

How does the fuel flow from the bowl with no line connected to it? If not good, then it’s probably something in the tank. I believe you said the gas would fill the bowl when you dropped the bowl a little (?). Shut off the fuel, remove the bowl totally and watch the flow when you open the valve. To check the flow from the bowl to the carb, replace the existing line with a temporary line that runs straight down and check the flow. If good then you may have a high spot somewhere in the actual line where you’re restricting the flow. Make sure the line is heading down all along it’s length.

Carl

----- Original Message -----
From: STEVE ALLEN <steveallen855 at centurytel.net>
To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
Sent: Wed, 06 May 2020 19:48:51 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [AT] Project Updates  '49 A, '51 A, and '47 B

Just to keep things moving, I thought I'd share some updates and a question or two.

'49 A:
After draining the condensation out of the transmission case (none in the crank case), we tried to start the tractor.  I had it running just fine as recently as 16 months ago.  Nadda.  No spark.  This tractor is magneto.  Polished the points, checked the wires, puttered with the cap.  Still no spark.  Haven't had time to get back to it since Saturday.  can't understand why a unit that had spark just fine less than 2 years ago had nothin' now.

'51 A:  
Starts and runs easy, but it starts dying of fuel starvation after just a little while.  I know the fuel line runs closer to the exhaust manifold than it should, but I insulated it.  Gas is till *not* coming down out of the tank at what seems a normal rate.  I am planning to suspend a light in the tank to see if I can spot any problem there.  I just don't get the reluctance to flow.

'47 B:
Pulled the front wheels off to replace the tires while the carb is in the soak and clean mode.  Got a surprise:  the front wheels are 3" x 15", not the 4" x 16" I expected (and should be on a late styled B).  Out of curiosity, I checked the rears:  the tires are 12.4 x 36" (not 38").  apparently, at some point in the distant past (before the mid-'70s when my Dad bought it), someone put smaller (older??) wheels and tires on this tractor, or else it came with an option I don't see in the parts manual for these years.  One source I found lists 3" x 15: front wheels for the M.  VERY odd.  So we are looking for a pair of 15"s now.  Anybody have a favorite brand?

Anyway, my son is working on cleaning up the carb, and we're waiting till the weekend when I have some more time.

The "original" Steve Allen
_______________________________________________
AT mailing list
AT at lists.antique-tractor.com
http://lists.antique-tractor.com/listinfo.cgi/at-antique-tractor.com