Farmall Cub

Posted: **Mon Jan 17, 2011 2:10 pm**

Well, I finally got around to tinkering with Bashful this weekend to see if he will be a runner or a parts Cub...And I can't get him to fire.

For the story of the "rescue" see posts New 1957 Cub in Winfield "Den" and Rear wheels won't turn - HELP
The older fellow I bought him from said Bashful was a good, strong pulling Cub...but he sold the farm summer of 2010 and didn't need farm equipment anymore.
He moved Bashful to his home where it got vandalized by local kids.

When I started working on him I found: plug wires on wrong, it was out of time - the mag was snapping about an inch past the TDC mark, mud dauber [wasp] nests everywhere, including the carb, which he had removed from the tractor, and wiring that is useless.
Here are a couple pics of the mag/external coil and condenser FYI.

The green wire ran back to the battery and had a squeeze clip on it...no mag kill wire. I assume he would clip the wire on, start it, and then remove it to stop?

What I have done:
Pulled governor and lined up timing marks
Timed mag per WisconsinCubman's video
Cleaned and set points
Installed different plugs
Plug wires on correctly - checked it more than once :lol:

Tested coil - ok
Rotor needs replaced - the contact end is angled - but trying it as-is for now
Carb taken apart and cleaned
Compression test 100 plus wet
Valve adjustment - one had been stuck up

I spun it over using 12 volts and have spark at each plug.

But I can't get it to fire...not even a single pop.
was running with a pony tank so it's not a gas delivery issue...also tried starter fluid direct into the carb.

Thought maybe I was 180 degrees out of time but double-checked it...even confirmed it with valve movements.

Any ideas??
I am wondering if there is something simple I am overlooking.

Thanks Guys

Posted: **Mon Jan 17, 2011 2:27 pm**

You don't need the magneto kill switch. Just a switch to create an open in the wire feeding the coil.

Compression/excellent. Fuel/starting fluid/should do something. Ignition fires plugs.

Ignition timing problem - some place. Check the rotor location. It should be pointing at the #1 distributor plug tower with the engine set on #1 cylinder, TDC and with the points just opening. Perhaps the rotor needs to be timed to the engine.

Posted: **Mon Jan 17, 2011 2:34 pm**

Eugene wrote:Check the rotor location. It should be pointing at the #1 distributor plug tower with the engine set on #1 cylinder, TDC and with the points just opening. Perhaps the rotor needs to be timed to the engine.

Thanks Eugene...
Yes, rotor is pointing at #1.
When I cleaned up the mag I made sure the marks were lined up on the rotor and the small gear...At first I thought that might be the reason for it being out of time...but was surprised to find the marks were aligned when I took it apart.

Posted: **Mon Jan 17, 2011 2:37 pm**

You can double check you have TDC on #1 cylinder by removing #1 plug and checking you have compression on it. There is a chance you might have TDC on #4 with rotor pointing to #1

Posted: **Mon Jan 17, 2011 4:09 pm**

Put your hand over the carburetor inlet and have someone crank over the engine - checking for suction - major vacuum leak. You need to have spark plugs installed for this test.

Posted: **Mon Jan 17, 2011 5:06 pm**

Eugene wrote:Put your hand over the carburetor inlet and have someone crank over the engine - checking for suction - major vacuum leak. You need to have spark plugs installed for this test.

Yep...did this when I shot the starter fluid in...good suction.

Posted: **Mon Jan 17, 2011 5:39 pm**

HI Dave:.....I liked Todd answer as you said there is spark on eack plug and it is timing but that 180 degrees off is not new. Also I did not catch that the plugs are wet as if they are dry thats another area to check.. BOY ISNT THIS FUN I feel sorry for the guys that own a Cub and dont have these chore to accomplish. Albie

Posted: **Mon Jan 17, 2011 5:44 pm**

Final professional conclusion. Engine is not napping. Dead. Give the engine it's last rites and then dispose of it.

Ignition timing problem - some place.

Edit: One more check. Crank engine slowly over by hand until magneto snaps. Check rotor positon. If not at #1 spark plug tower, roll engine over one more full turn until magneto clicks. Now move the engine crank shaft until the pointer/timing mark is about 5/8" past the TDC alignment - this should be close to the full advance (normal running) position. Now check the rotor location - should be pointing at (centered on) the distributor cap #1 plug wire location.

Posted: **Mon Jan 17, 2011 5:57 pm**

Eugene wrote:Final professional conclusion. Engine is not napping. Dead. Give the engine it's last rites and then dispose of it.

Ignition timing problem - some place.

If it's "dead" as Eugene suggested (tongue in cheek, I know)... You can bring it out and "bury" it in WiconsinCubMan's garage... It'll never be found in that mess!

Mike in La Crosse, WI

Posted: **Mon Jan 17, 2011 6:07 pm**

Double check EVERYTHING on the timing, I have seen far too many that were suppose to be in time

If still no effort to start; take a carb off a runner and install it

Posted: **Mon Jan 17, 2011 6:47 pm**

I would try pulling it in gear and poping the cltch to see if that might work. It has worked for me before when my cub was being stubborn and didn't want to work that day lol.