1450 won't start

[bgreen67]

I am working on a 1978 IH 1450. I can't get it to start. It turns over fine but will not fire. I pulled the plug and it seemed to have spark. I put it back in and sprayed starting fluid in carb but still nothing. Does anyone have any ideas what to check?

[J-Mech]

Does it have compression?

[Cub Cadet 123]

Did you check some of the obvious, like is your fuel shut off in the "On" position? Are your fuel lines/filter clean and allowing fuel to flow? Are your hose clamps on your fuel line pinching too much, restricting the flow? Have you flooded it? Not trying to be a smart a$$, but these are all things that people overlook (especially myself) when our minds are on many other things that we think might be wrong and it never hurts to check the obvious.

Cub Cadet 123

[Bob95065]

What's the history of the tractor? When did it run last and what was done to it since?

It has spark but did you check the timing? It could be off.

[gmbadgley]

take a close look at the coil tower, I have seen them corrode, crack or carbon track. You can also try checking it in the dark, you may see some "fireworks" that don't show up in the daylight. Also try a spark plug that you know is good. when was the last time the points & condenser were changed?

Greg

[sawdustdad]

Jonathan asked the correct question. If you have spark, and use starting fluid, that eliminates fuel as a reason not to start. Next logical question is, does the piston move and are the valves closing?

Air + spark+ fuel+ compression = running (or firing at least)