Ok, what did I do now?

[clintmo]

My sickle mower Cub didn't want to start the other day. No spark. After some inspection I changed points, rotor, condenser and plug wires. It started up so I thought all was well. It was a rough start up, but I thought it would straighten up after a few starts. Well it hasn't. It labors getting started and takes a while to get up to speed. I took it out of the building and found it has very low power. It was struggling on the slightest grade, very unusual for this tractor. I feel like whatever the problem is just happened when I was messing with the ignition system. I thought I put everything back the way it was. I know the plug wires are in the right order.

So what have I done?

Clint

[Eugene]

Ignition timing is off.

Static time the engine.

[Puffie40]

Clean the plugs with a wire brush. Fouled plugs will make the motor run rough.

[clintmo]

Ignition timing is off.

Static time the engine.

Thanks. Yeah it seems pretty obvious now that I've got it out of time. I'm back from vacation so I'll take a crack at this when I get a minute. I've never had to time one before. Looks like it's time to cross that one of the list.

Clint

[Urbish]

Overly lengthy video, but this works perfectly:

[clintmo]

I got to take another look at things and discovered something strange that I hadn't realized about my distributor. It has no ears!

I started the tractor up and rotated the distributor counter clockwise until it smoothed out, but without the ears I can't tighten it in place. Is it at all common for those to be missing?

Anyway, the tractor starts right up and runs great as it had before.

Clint

[Don McCombs]

You should need at least one clamp to keep the distributor from wandering.

[clintmo]

You should need at least one clamp to keep the distributor from wandering.

Yeah, I'll have to figure something out to keep it in place. I've had this Cub for two years and have used it quite a bit and as far as I know it never budged. This was the first time I touched the ignition system on this one.

Clint

[tldec50]

looks like a good spot for an old chevy distributor hold down clamp,Tim

[Eugene]

If I can find it, I have the clamp that came off the back side of the distributor some place. You can have it if you PM your postal address.

You might check with folks a bit closer. I'm pretty sure someone will have an extra clamp laying around.

[clintmo]

Ok, now I understand what's missing. Showing my ignorance here (again.) I've never actually removed the distributor. I've always managed to work on it on the tractor. I thought the clamps were part of the distributor housing. Now I'm up to speed. I'll see if I can come up with at least one. If I have no luck I may be in touch, Eugene. Thanks for the offer.

Clint