Cub Cadet 104 won't start
 

Hello all,
First off I am new here. I have a Cub Cadet 104 that I use for pulling.
I bought a new engine for it last year, that is bored from a 10hp to about 14.
So my friend says he got it for free before an auction, and has never been run since it's rebuild.

So anyway, when I first got it all back together, I wasn't getting any spark. Swapped out the points with my old motor, and I got spark. For a while, at least. After a few days, the spark stopped again.

I cleaned the points, and now it is sparking really good. So I got it all back together, and it will turn over, but just won't fire up. There is some smoke coming out the exhaust, and when it is at about quarter throttle, it backfire with white smoke out the air cleaner. I think it is white because I primed the cylinder with oil, so that doesn't concern me. It just wont start up.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, RJ Shoemaker :beerchug:

Can't help much, but welcome to OCC!

Thank you!

Try a few squirts of gas into the carb and see if it fires. If it does it is a fuel problem, if not look towards Ignition or compression.

Greg

I've tried squirting the gas into the carb, and have confirmed that fuel is getting to the carb, still won't fire. And I've been thinking that but don't know where to start.
Thanks, RJ

check timing and make the starter is spinning the motor fast enough i have a couple starters that just don't spin the motor fast enough to start it

Perform static timing method and also check valve adjustments on top dead center. Read the FAQ section on the forum and also download k series service manual in technical section on how to adjust valves.

Thank you, I will check the timing tomorrow and let you guys know what I find out.

Change your spark plug, even if it is new. I had something similar happen to a 123 this past winter and I assumed since I put a new plug in the week before that it wasn't that. Once I replace the plug, it fired right up. Worth a try.

Cub Cadet 123

I'll second the spark plug theory. My Cubs all run on Autolite 216s. I had the same situation where I had a 149 that just wouldn't fire when all of the required air/fuel/spark items were present. Changed to an Autolite plug and it fired right off. Also don't be afraid to close up the points to .10-.12 to get it to start. The backfiring through the carb could be the piston being forced back down during the compression stroke if the timing is too advanced during the crank cycle. Close up the points gap and work backwards till you find the happy spot.