No spark for 1955 Cub

[bookman51]

Worked on getting a good ground and pulled the plugs. I am getting a spark to each of the plugs. Kind of an orange spark, if that means anything. The spark plugs had a lot of back carbon on them (Champions D21). I cleaned them up a bit, checked the gap, and reinserted them. Still no firing. I might check on a new set of spark plugs tomorrow. Any further suggestions/ideasa.

[bookman51]

I checked and I see I put in the D21 champion sparks in 2010, but I have used the tractor very little since there. Why so much carbon on them?

[Clemsonfor]

So have replaced the condenser at this point? It's cheap and easy enough to replace , plus is a wear part. I would bet the points are fine since your light was blinking and the fact that they can't really go bad if it ran when parked even if it was a few years ago. If you cleaned up the points any corrosion would be taken care of. I think you may have an issue with the cap maybe..cracked? Bad rotor, cracked? Plug wires in wrong spots for some reason?

[bookman51]

Houston, I hvae a problem. Got spark to spark plugs but tractor still not firing. I did a compression test this morning. cylinder 1: dry 25; wet 30; cylinder 2: dry 70; west 75; cylinder 3: could not get the tester on the spark plug working witht the gas tank on but I could not feel any pressure with my finger; cylinder 4: dry 40; wet 80. Time for a more experienced mechanic than me. Fortunately I have one who has worked on engines of my tractors. The engine seemed to have ran fine with no smoke before I took it apart to paint it, put new radiator, rewire it, and paint it so I never tested the compression on it before. I suppose one or more valves could be stuck, but also could worse. I do not have much invested in the tractor but maybe now I will. Thanks for all the help.

[Don McCombs]

Try pull starting it.

[bookman51]

And what trying to start it by pulling it do?

[bookman51]

And what trying to start it by pulling it do?

[Glen]

Hi,
Sometimes engines that have sat for years need to be pull started the 1st time.

Below is info for pull starting a Cub.
They have said on here attach a cable or long chain to the drawbar at the rear of the Cub, and run it under the Cub, out the front, to whatever is towing the Cub.
The front axle can break trying to tow it by attaching on the front axle.
There is a post lately on here by someone that broke the front axle pulling the Cub.

Sit in the seat, turn the ignition switch to on, open the throttle about 1/2 way, put the transmission in 3rd, hold the clutch pedal down, and tow it at about 5 MPH, or less, on level ground, if possible.
Slowly let the clutch up, the engine will turn over. You may need to choke it some.
If you don't feel comfortable doing that, then you probably shouldn't do it.
The compression may get better some by towing it, with the engine turning over.

When doing a compression test, open the throttle fully, so the engine can get air for the test.
Have all 4 spark plugs out of the engine at the same time.
Charge the battery fully, and use the starter.

[Clemsonfor]

Houston, I hvae a problem. Got spark to spark plugs but tractor still not firing. I did a compression test this morning. cylinder 1: dry 25; wet 30; cylinder 2: dry 70; west 75; cylinder 3: could not get the tester on the spark plug working witht the gas tank on but I could not feel any pressure with my finger; cylinder 4: dry 40; wet 80. Time for a more experienced mechanic than me. Fortunately I have one who has worked on engines of my tractors. The engine seemed to have ran fine with no smoke before I took it apart to paint it, put new radiator, rewire it, and paint it so I never tested the compression on it before. I suppose one or more valves could be stuck, but also could worse. I do not have much invested in the tractor but maybe now I will. Thanks for all the help.

If it was running before you took it apart to paint it, it will run again! It just can blow up or wear out sitting there. You could have some stuck rings and valves that are partially stuck. It will run, stay with it.

[bookman51]

Thanks

[Eugene]

Compression is very, very, very, low. Wet test indicates valve problems, not sealing.

Suggest removing the valve cover. Check tappet clearance and make sure all valves are working.

Solve your ignition problem. You may have sufficient compression to start/run the engine. You could try tow starting the tractor. That may provide enough compression for an engine start.

Thought/opinion. Engine overhaul.

[bookman51]

Thanks