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Spark plug wirers

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 9:30 am
by spaceghost
Spark plug wirers

I have a 1957 cub lo boy, I let my 15 year old boy help with a tune up and now I can not start the tractor.
Can someone please tell me how the spark plug wires fit on to the cap?
I have an international cub shop manual but I can not find that info in there.
If you look at the cap while the cap is on the distributor the 5 o’clock position I believe is piston number one
As the rotor tuners clock wise I believe the next position is piston number 3
As the rotor tuners clock wise I believe the next position is piston number 4
As the rotor tuners clock wise I believe the next position is piston number 2

Also I am assuming that number one piston is in the front on the motor

If this is not correct I would appreciate any advise.

I do have spark in all four spark plugs and at the points.

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 10:05 am
by Dave (69 lo-boy)
The front plug is number 1.
You have the firing order and rotation correct.
To be sure the number one wire is correct, remove the number one plug and rotate the engine till you get pressure on the cylinder, with piston at TDC look at the rotor position, on my Cub the rotor is at 2:00 o'clock, then wire from there.

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 10:11 am
by ChickenWing
You have the order correct. On mine, the number 1 is at 3 oclock, number 3 is at 6 oclock, number 4 is at 9 oclock, number 2 is at 12 oclock.

Firing order

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 10:29 am
by spaceghost
Thank you very much for your replies.
I think I have number one in the wrong spot.
I am going to change number one to 3 o’clock and give it a go tonight when I get home.

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 10:41 am
by ChickenWing
Do you have a magneto? I have a battery-distributor system. The magneto may not be oriented the same, since I don't have a 5 oclock. But is sounds like you might have the wires one position out of synch if Dave's is at 2 oclock on number 1.

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 10:46 am
by George Willer
This can become very confusing if the distributor wasn't installed "by the book". You really should check where the rotor points when #1 piston reaches TDC on the COMPRESSION stroke. If it was done correctly, it will point to the tower on the cap that is marked (1), and that should be about 2 oclock position. Believe it or not, that (1) was put there for that reason. :lol:

If yours wasn't installed correctly, this would be a good time to pull it off and install it pointing correctly. This will make future work easier.

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 11:05 am
by Rudi
spaceghost:

Welcome to the Forum and the Cub Family :D . Aren't Cubs wonderful :?: And they are a lot of fun to play with.

You have gotten some very good info and advice from the guys so far.

I am assuming (with all the risks that an assumption contains :D :roll: ), that you are doing all of this without a manual.

Might I suggest that you visit Binder Books, and arrange to purchase these 3 manuals:

Owner's Manual
TC-37F Parts Manual
GSS-1411 Service Manual.

Believe me, this is the best investment that you could make as a Cub Owner. I was and probably still am very mechanically challenged, and by going through the manuals, I was able to take Ellie-Mae from very poor condition with no power, to one that runs beautifully, but just has lousy brakes ( :oops: next major project on my list :oops: ).

Until then though, please feel free to click the link below and peruse ALL of the information that is on the Manual Server. I am sure that it will be of help to you as you work on maintaining your Cub.

Hope this helps a little :)

Again, welcome to the Forum and to the Cub Family :!: [/i]