MTFCA Forum

Recently purchased a model F.
Compression good
Set the time to fire at tdc when retarded
Good spark and correct firing order.
Would not start.
Took the carb. apart and check it all out.
I put a flat belt on and turned it with another tractor.
The input is the exhaust and the exhaust is the intake.
It is a major operation to check the timing gears. So I was wondering if anyone has had this happen?
Could it be anything other than the 0's on the timing gears are not lined up?

Unless you're turning the engine over backwards, I think you nailed it. Has to be out of time.
Happy hunting !

Thanks,
I am turning it the right way.

Since the intake and exhaust work right next to each other (IOW, disregarding overlap, compression and power strokes have no valves and then exhaust and intake are next to each other), I don't think the cam gear being off mark would perfectly switch them.

They are not perfectly switched, but almost.

Thinking a little more, it would act this way if the cam gear was off about 90 degrees (quarter turn) in either direction. 90 degrees one way would make Exh open on the intake stroke and Int open on the compression stroke. 90 degrees the other way would make Exh open on the power stroke and Int open on the exhaust stroke. Either one shows itself as the Exh valve open with the piston travelling down and the Int valve open with the piston travelling up.

Yes Nikolaus someone had put it together wrong. I did not keep track of how many teeth but it was quite a few. The exhaust valve now opens at the bottom of the power stroke and when run by the belt the intake is the intake.
I need to wait for new gaskets to put it together and see if it runs.

The '18 model T that lives here (worked on last by the previous owners in the 70's) had the cam gear clocked about 90 degrees to the crank so it sure can happen! No idea how and I cannot imagine it myself. It happens.
IMPO, do the surgery so YOU know.
Bummer just the same ya?