starting W

[Bill Kycia]

Hello all,I have a model W with cletrac engine. It hasn't ran in 30-35 yrs. Had mag rebuilt its a later Wico/cleaned and redid Kingston carb.Cranked my ass off or should I say arm off today.It has spark,but problem is it doesn't seem to be pulling fuel to the cylinders,plugs are dry.Dumped a little fuel in each cylinder,still wont go.What gives? Any tips?  Tierd Bill in CT.

[Blake Malkamaki]

First Bill, is it getting fuel through the carb? Make sure you are actually getting fuel through the carb and that the jets are not plugged up with gunk. And make sure the gasoline is fresh and has not been sitting for over a month or so.

I have had similar problems with my Cletrac E that I knew was in good mechanical shape, but the gas was a couple years old. The alcohol in the gas does some really crazy things. If any moisture enters the fuel - even from being sucked in and out of the cap vent from expansion and contraction - it can cause the fuel to phase separate into water/alcohol/gasoline layers. Also, the alcohol can dissolve 80 years of crud that has built up on the sides of the fuel tank. That happened on mine and created millions of particles of minute flakes that floated in the gasoline and plugged up the carb. Then I put a cheap plastic in line filter in my fuel line, but it was not made for alcohol and, within days, the alcohol dissolved the glue that held the filter element within the plastic vessel.

Anyway, once I cleaned the carb, installed a good inline filter, and put fresh gasoline in the tank, the tractor is back to its usual starting on the third quarter turn of the crank.

Blake

[Bob]

Bill do you have good compression? low compression wouldn't let it have enough suction to pull up the gas. Try dumping some oil in the cylinders and turn it over a couple times then try to start. Could also have a stuck or leaking intake valve. That would blow the gas out of the intake before it would get into the cylinders. Had that happen in a DG once. unstuck the one valve and it ran perfect.

Bob

[Bill Kycia]

I suspect that the compression is week.but not real easy to crank. Valves seem ok.Tried gas in cylinders,nothing really happened. Frustrated Bill in CT

[Bob]

Bill, I know you dont have a bunch of room at your lace, but sometimes after a tractor has sat a long time I end up pull starting it with another tractor. Then alot of times they will start after they have been warmed up. Hope you make overcome the difficulties...

Bob

[Bill Kycia]

What up Bob ?I figure I will get a flat belt and put it to the E38 power pulley,and spin her over that way.I also bought Earls E38,to use as parts machine to do the bottom on mine. I will call you when I start that project. Will need a few pointers on how to remove and free up front idlers so I can adjust the tracks.Hope all is well.Hows the BD,still NO Pics! Bill

[Bob]

That would work good as well Bill! Forgot about the power pulley on the front... Yeah Earl told me about the E he sold to you. How is the engine in it? I'm in need of one for a project... All is good, just waiting for the opertune time to take some good pics of the BD

Bob

[Bill Kycia]

Bob,Engine is complete,but manifold is bad.Its stuck,and I who say its been that way for quite awhile Interested,let me know. I will keep carb for mine. Bill