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184 not starting

IH CUB Lo-Boy Series - 154, 184, 185 Forum -- Questions and answers to all of your Lo-Boy related issues.
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Dieselrider
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184 not starting

Postby Dieselrider » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:18 am

I have spark, not sure about gas (have it to the carb). It had been running and last time went o start it it would just crank and not fire. Recharged the battery and it will cough and fire a few anemic revs and die. Could I have a piece of dirt in the carb somewhere? Th screen is over the sediment bowl. Suggestions welcome. Thanks.

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HAMILTONBOB
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Re: 184 not starting

Postby HAMILTONBOB » Wed Sep 28, 2011 10:04 am

Give a shot of starting fluid in the carb. If it starts to run, then stops, it is probably a carb problem. The pros on this sight will gve you the next steps.
Bob
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Dieselrider
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Tractors Owned: 1977 Cub 184 Lowboy
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2013 Kubota L3800 TLB
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Re: 184 not starting

Postby Dieselrider » Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:25 pm

The starting fluid doesn't help it to start either. Tried another coil (Not sure it is good or not but, had it in the cabinet). It would for awhile put putt but very slowly and then die after a few seconds. Pulled the plugs. #1 and 2 seem dry but you can smell gas on them. #'s 3 and 4 seem wet like they definitely had gas to them. Pulled the cover plate off the side of the block and it looks like all valves are moving as they should. How can I tell if I have a hot enough spark?

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Bigdog
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Re: 184 not starting

Postby Bigdog » Wed Sep 28, 2011 4:40 pm

Spark should be bright blue and about 3/8" long. Double check your firing order (plug wires in the right order) as well as spark quality.
Bigdog
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

My wife says I don't listen to her. - - - - - - - - Or something like that!

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Dieselrider
10+ Years
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Posts: 176
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2007 5:17 am
Zip Code: 16656
Tractors Owned: 1977 Cub 184 Lowboy
1979 John Deere 2640
2013 Kubota L3800 TLB
1949 International Cub
Location: West Central PA
Contact:

Re: 184 not starting

Postby Dieselrider » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:10 pm

Bigdog wrote:Spark should be bright blue and about 3/8" long. Double check your firing order (plug wires in the right order) as well as spark quality.



I checked the spark by taking the number one plug and laying it along the block so, the spark was just across the plug gap but was just a yellow spark not blue or white. Coil or condenser maybe? Thanks

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Re: 184 not starting

Postby Bigdog » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:12 pm

Clean and gap the points first. If it's still the same then substitute a good coil and / or condensor.
Bigdog
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

My wife says I don't listen to her. - - - - - - - - Or something like that!

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Dieselrider
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Tractors Owned: 1977 Cub 184 Lowboy
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1949 International Cub
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Re: 184 not starting

Postby Dieselrider » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:48 pm

OK, now I see a problem. The gap on the points does not open near enough to get the correct .020" gap that is called for. However, the moveable part of the gap is all the way down as far as it can go so, I cannot get the proper gap. Has anyone ever worn the center part of the distributor that much before that you can no longer set the gap? Can I get the center shaft of the distributor or do I need to buy an entire distributor? Are they even still available? Thanks

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Re: 184 not starting

Postby Packrat » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:54 pm

Probably NOT the distributor that is worn, but the nylon rubbing block on the point set itself. Change the points and try again.Don't forget to grease the new rubbing block.

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Re: 184 not starting

Postby Bigdog » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:55 pm

Are you sure the wear is on the lobes and not the point rub block? A picture would help here. I find it hard to beleive the lobes on the distributor shaft are worn that much.
Bigdog
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

My wife says I don't listen to her. - - - - - - - - Or something like that!

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Dieselrider
10+ Years
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Posts: 176
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2007 5:17 am
Zip Code: 16656
Tractors Owned: 1977 Cub 184 Lowboy
1979 John Deere 2640
2013 Kubota L3800 TLB
1949 International Cub
Location: West Central PA
Contact:

Re: 184 not starting

Postby Dieselrider » Wed Sep 28, 2011 10:14 pm

If it is the phenolic pc on the point that is worn it was worn from new as I remember there was minimal clearance at that time. Being new to setting points then (still am a nube in my mind) I thought that must be the way it is but looking at the parts now, I see that there should be much more adjustment then what is allowed with the new points set. However, I took a couple washers and built up under the phenolic block to give more adjustment. Had to grind some off the head of the number six screw to get it to clear the lobes.

All that being said, it was the problem. The thing turned over a couple times and fired right up. That is the good news.

The bad news is that I had it in my mind to adjust the throttle cable at the governor end. Since it was already bent up I thought I could replace the wire inside the cable. Got the old wire out and cannot get a new piece of the same wire in. Perhaps a piece of the old wire broke off inside. Will look at that tomorrow. Can I still get a throttle cable? What do they cost? Thanks all.

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Re: 184 not starting

Postby outdoors4evr » Thu Sep 29, 2011 10:11 am

Throttle Cables are available both new and used.
As for the points, take the plunge to pertronix ignition. It was an easy install and I just love it!
184 w/ Creeper & 3-Point
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Dieselrider
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Posts: 176
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2007 5:17 am
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Tractors Owned: 1977 Cub 184 Lowboy
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2013 Kubota L3800 TLB
1949 International Cub
Location: West Central PA
Contact:

Re: 184 not starting

Postby Dieselrider » Thu Sep 29, 2011 12:22 pm

outdoors4evr wrote:Throttle Cables are available both new and used.
As for the points, take the plunge to pertronix ignition. It was an easy install and I just love it!

Do you have a par number for that ignition or is their site easy to navigate and come up with the right parts? Thanks.

OK it looks like the kit for the distributor is 1442. Do you need their coil too or will the distributor ignition parts do the whole job? Thanks

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Re: 184 not starting

Postby BigBill » Thu Sep 29, 2011 6:47 pm

I'm starting from scratch and this is what i would check out and do.

Wait you had spark right? If not i'd clean the points first to get it running so the problem is solved before taking the plunge on buying parts or upgrades. Make sure the choke is fully closing. My int154 choke cable hits a bump then moves more out to fully choke it. If i leave it at the first bump it won't start because the choke isn't fully closed. Next i would make sure your float level is ok for the carb/system on the choke to work properly too. The fuel bowel needs to maintain the proper fuel level. Check and see if the gas runs out of the fuel line at the carb from the tank. Then pull the plug on the bottom of the carb bowel to make sure the carb is getting gas. I found an abstruction above my fuel bowel in the gas tank that stopped the gas from flowing. I blew into the gas hose and sent the obstruction out of the fuel bowel with my breath. If its all ok she has to come to life and run. One more question is how old is your gas in the tank?
I'm technically misunderstood at times i guess its been this way my whole life so why should it change now.

Dieselrider
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 176
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2007 5:17 am
Zip Code: 16656
Tractors Owned: 1977 Cub 184 Lowboy
1979 John Deere 2640
2013 Kubota L3800 TLB
1949 International Cub
Location: West Central PA
Contact:

Re: 184 not starting

Postby Dieselrider » Thu Sep 29, 2011 8:13 pm

BigBill wrote:I'm starting from scratch and this is what i would check out and do.

Wait you had spark right? If not i'd clean the points first to get it running so the problem is solved before taking the plunge on buying parts or upgrades. Make sure the choke is fully closing. My int154 choke cable hits a bump then moves more out to fully choke it. If i leave it at the first bump it won't start because the choke isn't fully closed. Next i would make sure your float level is ok for the carb/system on the choke to work properly too. The fuel bowel needs to maintain the proper fuel level. Check and see if the gas runs out of the fuel line at the carb from the tank. Then pull the plug on the bottom of the carb bowel to make sure the carb is getting gas. I found an abstruction above my fuel bowel in the gas tank that stopped the gas from flowing. I blew into the gas hose and sent the obstruction out of the fuel bowel with my breath. If its all ok she has to come to life and run. One more question is how old is your gas in the tank?


Bill, thank you for the reply. I did check the choke and did reset the points to the right gap. The tractor fires up and runs. I should have a new throttle cable tomorrow and get things back together. If we ever get out of this rainy season I will put it to work one more time before winter.

BigBill
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Re: 184 not starting

Postby BigBill » Fri Sep 30, 2011 10:33 am

Glad you got it running. These are awesome machines.

Cleaning used points; (food for thought)
I know with used points i need to sand or file them really good to make them work. The trick is to clean them so there really clean. Then i turn the sand paper backwards and use the smooth side in the points again to get the sand paper grit off the point contacts which can hold the points open if we just sand them. Once the old points are done this way they will last till the next cleaning of course. If we don't clean them properly they won't last. I have learned that many years ago. I was weened on [point ignitions as a kid. (under 10yo)

Don't forget to lube the rubbing block on the points too. The rubbing block will wearout if we don't lube it. I tad of vasaline or white grease will do just a little.
I'm technically misunderstood at times i guess its been this way my whole life so why should it change now.


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