Trying to Start a B (GOT IT STARTED!!!)

Look for a stuck valve or bent push rod.
That will cause a motor to have back pressure and not pull in the gas.

This is kinda a silly question... but did you turn the switch to RUN?? (assuming that you did, because there is a spark...)

'39 Model B
Tractors are cheaper than girls, remember that!

Try some ether just to make sure it's not a fuel related issue try thru carb and if that don't work try spraying a little in each cyl

Edited by NICKMI - 05 Jan 2017 at 8:01am

I would pull valve cover and spark plugs, make sure each piston tops out as it should and valves close accordingly.

WD45 Diesel, RC,CA,IB, B, G, 616, Early B-10, D-10, Terra Tiger, 95G spreader, SC blade

next stupid question: are you saying it has good compression because you've done a compression test, or because it feels hard to crank?

If ignorance is bliss, than happy days are here again.

if it will not fire on ether, then it is not timed right........ still..If you are sure the camshaft / crank gear timing has not been changed since it ran last, then the distributor is still not set correct........

with the plugs out , bar the motor over slowly until #1 (front) comes up on compression stroke. at the top (TDC) on the crank, you should see the point just break open inside the distributor... then the cap / rotor install should point at #1 plug wire.

Like them all, but love the "B"s.

Dick L wrote:

valve position is how I check for compression stroke. If you had the crankshaft out the other thing I could see would be the camshaft and crankshaft were not in time. Checking for the valves being closed would mean that could not be the problem.

Providing the valves were closed for most of the compression stroke.

Hey AJ,,,Now,,I know you is a pretty good shade tree like me and sounds like you tried bout all these great suggestions,,,,,and since you HAVE tried ether,,,,,its gotta be timing,,,
Only'ist thing I haven't read to make sure on the timing,,, is to pull valve cover and look at the valves to make sure they are both closed on #1 when piston is at TDC, dist pointing at #1 spark plug position, and timing mark in window,,,,and it should start ,,,, Clap

Does the engine backfire when crankin it??

The timing mark comes up twice. Once on the compression and then on the exhaust stroke. As stated many times above it fires on the compression stroke.

If you watch the engine as it is hand cranked with the valve cover removed the rocker arms will both be up when you get to TDC on the compression stroke. that is when you set the points to just be ready to open, which causes a spark when they open, and the rotor will need to point toward the number one plug wire. At this point it is in time.

Edited by Dick L - 05 Jan 2017 at 5:27pm

Make sure you have compression in all cylinders, , valves could be stuck open.

CA, WD, C, 3 Bs, 2 Gs, WC, I-400, 914

The timing mark does NOT tell you when it is on the COMPRESSION stroke. It HAS to be on the compression stroke with #1 at TDC to time it. With the valve cover on, you HAVE to put your thumb in #1 plug hole to find the compression stroke.
This is WAY easier than people make it out to be IF you start by pulling the plug(s) and finding compression stroke first.

http://www.ae-ta.com
Lena 1935 WC12xxx, Willie 1951 CA6xx Dad bought new, 1954WD45 PS, 1960 D17 NF

Where is the set screw for the front crankshaft pulley when you think it is at TDC without being able to see the mark?
I have timed several engines after working on a distributor or Mag and NEVER looked for the flywheel mark. It isn't necessary IF you are at TDC of Compression on #1.
I would also say, you are NOT at TDC if the mark isn't visible.

Edited by CTuckerNWIL - 05 Jan 2017 at 7:50pm

http://www.ae-ta.com
Lena 1935 WC12xxx, Willie 1951 CA6xx Dad bought new, 1954WD45 PS, 1960 D17 NF

CTuckerNWIL wrote:

Where is the set screw for the front crankshaft pulley when you think it is at TDC without being able to see the mark?
I have timed several engines after working on a distributor or Mag and NEVER looked for the flywheel mark. It isn't necessary IF you are at TDC of Compression on #1.
I would also say, you are NOT at TDC if the mark isn't visible.

I agree with Charlie, the finger over the cylinder and feeling the piston in the cylinder for TDC is the way to go. It doesn't lie.
Get that number 1 at TDC...then
And take your cover off of your distributor and see where it is pointing. It should be about 11 oclock I think...and that should be where the number one wire is on the dist cap.

I had trouble getting my C going a while back...mine was a bad magneto. Had to get mag rebuild... Once I got it good spark at the spark plug and got everthing where is should be, she ran!

It is great being a disciple of Jesus! 1950 WD, 1957 D17...retired in Iowa,

Have you tried turning it over with the distributor cap off? Is the distributor turning smoothly when it's turning over?

Is it possible that the advance in the distributor is stuck in the advance position and advancing the spark too much?

AJ, I don't mean to be harsh, but your not listing or understanding the procedure yet. I hope you have it now....... You REALLY need a second person to look in the flywheel hole and see the TDC since you don't have a good idea of where it is.. On the "B"s I have worked on , the crank arm (tool) is normally horizontal I believe when you are at TDC.... Crank slowly with someones finger over the #1 plug hole.. when you feel it coming up on compression, then have the guy look into the flywheel hole... continue to crank slowly about 45- 90 degrees until the piston comes all the way up and you see TDC in the flywheel inspection hole.......... I don't believe you have ever got to this point yet.. YOU CAN NOT install the distributor until you get the TDC in the hole visible and #1 piston is on compression .

With the motor set a TDC, slide the distributor into the hole with the rotor pointing "about" at #1 wire...... then rotate it back and forth until you see the point start to open, or start to close.. the break point is where you lock down the mounting bolt... should start now.

Edited by steve(ill) - 05 Jan 2017 at 10:28pm

Like them all, but love the "B"s.

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