Ignition System overhaul

[Crimson Tim]

Sudden loss of power on a tractor that had been running great makes me think it's time to check the fuel line for crud. Again. I have to do this myself again as soon as I run it out of gas...

[tldec50]

I had the same problem back in the spring with my green tractor and I changed the condensor and its been running fine since.Might give that a try since it is easy.Thanx,Tim

[LilCub]

I was in the same boat as you about a month ago, completely ready to give up hope. I did a compression test and compression was low. I followed instructions on here to adjust the valves. I also poured some seafoam down the spark plug holes. Converted the ignition system to pertronix with a flamethrower coil. Now my cub runs better than I've seen it!

Don't give up hope, there's enough information on this forum to get her going. Just takes patience, which if you're like me can be hard to come by.

Sudden loss of power on a tractor that had been running great makes me think it's time to check the fuel line for crud. Again. I have to do this myself again as soon as I run it out of gas...

I had the same problem back in the spring with my green tractor and I changed the condensor and its been running fine since.Might give that a try since it is easy.Thanx,Tim

Thanks for the encouragement and tips.

It may be overkill but hopefully what I have planned will solve the problem, if not it stuff that needs doing anyway. Spark plugs may be original, haven't pulled them yet but look as old as me and I can see the plug wires are cracked, etc.. So here is what I have on order.

Strainer bowl cork gasket, strainer screen, new solid fuel line, Fuel bowl gasket, IH needle valve (mine has rubber tip), Carb gasket, points/condenser, rotor, cap, plug wires, D21 plugs.

After that's all in I will check valve adjustment and timing then see how she does. *fingers crossed*

[Glen]

Hi,
That sounds like a good tune up. If the parts look worn, or not good, they need replacing so the engine will run good.
If you have the carburetor apart, clean it inside well, and blow out all the passages with air. Wear your safety glasses when using the air.

[LilCub]

Ordered parts from TM Tuesday afternoon and they arrived today, just in time for the weekend! If it wasn't date night with the wife tonight I'd be elbow deep already.

[Glen]

Hi,
The float height in the carburetor should be set exactly when you have it apart, maybe you knew already.
Here is a page from the Cub service manual with info, the IH carb is in the upper pics on the page. The float height is 1 13/32", measured like in the lower right pic of the Zenith carb, with the upper half upside down, but without having the gasket in place. The IH carb and the Zenith have different specs.
The float drop should be checked too.

http://www.farmallcub.info/manuals/gss- ... 002-09.jpg

[rmichalski]

Greetings,
I'm new to the forum and new to the Farmall Cub. Just bought a 1955 Cub with original and modified wiring. The dash panel can be removed. The bottom, I think, bolts are a lump of rusted steel. The very bottom of the dash panel is rusted away. Replacement coming. Please let me know if these lumps are bolts and thread into the torque tube plate? I will make 2 flats on the lumps, Dremel tool, and add a little heat, PB Blaster then use vise grips to remove.
I enjoy the info available on this forum. Looking forward to advise on "Lump" removal.
Thanks in advance. Dick Michalski

[Bob McCarty]

Welcome to the Forum. Yes those are bolts. You may find the same problem if you try to remove the battery box. For future questions you might want to start a new thread so the title reflects your question. As soon as you have two posts, you can access all the manuals by clicking on "Quick links" (upper left) and then "PDF Manuals".

Bob

[LilCub]

Well I thought it was good and then it just stopped..

Replaced Condenser and points, New Rotor button and cap, Spark plugs and wires and coil. Also installed a new fuel bowl screen and gasket while I had the tank off. Charged it up and she started first time I turned the key. Idled it up a little to let her warm up and walked off happy. 2 minutes later she shut off and now wont start. Took the carb off, cleaned it out, screen looked good, replaced needle valve (had rubber tipped one and I replaced with metal IH original). Put it back together and still nothing.

I am at a loss...

[inairam]

adjust the valves. I also poured some seafoam down the spark plug holes. Converted the ignition system to pertronix with a flamethrower coil.

These suggestions are modest cost, low risk, low to moderate skill level, need only basic tools and get the most results for the $ and time invested.

[LilCub]

Went back to step one and no spark at coil, Checked with multimeter and have power to the coil but nothing between coil and distributer with wire disconnected. The fact that it cranked right up and ran then shut off has me concerned. I am about to push her back in the shed, the disappointment is overwhelming.

[inairam]

Hang in there you are close

"checked with multimeter and have power to the coil" what was the voltage reading to the coil?

"with wire disconnected." you mean with high voltage wire from the coil to the center of the distributor.

You said you replace the coil - assuming it is good - Check all of the connections on the coil ( small wires not the high voltage wires and check both ends of the wires ), inspect the coil wires ( small wires) for shorts ( bad insulation on the wires) and push all spark plug wires down on the spark plugs and in the distributor cap

If the above does not work try another coil either new or the old coil and see if that works. Once you get it running consider the pertronix electronic ignition.

[Glen]

Hi,
You might have gotten a defective coil or condenser, the engine will not run if either one of them quits.

[LilCub]

Finally figured it out. Somehow when I installed the points I bent the spring piece that bolts to the stud inside the distributor. After running a few minutes it broke loose and grounded out which explains why it shut off. Installed another set and hand cranked her on the first turn. Mowed about 2 hours and no quit in her, mower running and up hill, pulls great.

Thanks for all the help. Now to get this grass knocked down...