Tired H

[DanR]

Yesterday I took the H down to the shop about two miles away. It had not been started since I put it up for the winter about three weeks ago. I put the one and a half year old battery on the charger just in case. Wouldn't even turn over. Put on a second 6v battery and still nothing. I cleaned every contact point from the battery to the starter. Still nothing. Pulled the starter and it ran fine on the ground. Same result with other batteries and starters. So I'm thinking engine problem. Checked the oil OK. On the second pull on the crank it started right up and purred like a kitten. Down the road and I notice the ammeter is not moving. Maybe it's time to convert to 12v. The tractor would not pull in 5th gear even on a slight decline. At the shop all the high temp paint had burned off the stack. Time to check the timing. A drop of oil on the bottom of the carb and some small streaks of oil below the air filter. Maybe it's time for a valve job. I had been wondering what I would do this winter. Hey, this old gal is only 67 years old. Maybe getting tired like me. I still love old tractors.

[Bigdog]

Looks like your winter project just found you Dan!

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

The starter not turning the engine may have been the result of the Bendix being locked against the ring gear, which you cleared when you removed it. did you try the starter again after reinstalling?

[DanR]

Yup, checked the Bendix on all 3 starters. Fine on the bench but not on the tractor. I took one of them to my friend at the starter shop. He's sharp.

[Bezirk]

Dan:
I already have enough winter projects for say 3-5 winters ! Spect I won't get them all finished this coming winter.
Berlin

[artc]

if you overlooked the battery ground, or have painted the starter, your problem could lie there.

or...

it could very well have been a stuck starter, and the starter may not be the problem. the ring gear could be worn, causing the jam. putting the tractor in gear and rocking it with the rear tire will generally clear it. replacing or reversing the ring gear will cure it.

[Dave from Texas]

I agree with artc. A bad ground will stop the starter from turning. Try jumpering with jumper cables to a clean metal part or back to the battery. You should at least hear the starter trying to turn.
If the battery is weak and the generator is not working correctly low voltage will drag the power down. You will be getting a weak spark.
Too much oil in the filter could be starving it of air. Sounds like pulling oil through the air filter. What weight oil do you use in the air filter?

[DanR]

The problem has been resolved after several hours of scratching my head. The three pieces of the starter case were not making good contact with each other. A wire brush and a beverage works wonders.