Late model side distributor 8N. Tractor ran perfectly for years. Started first turn. Then started to stumble and run roughly. I had a carburetor kit here so decided to refurbish the carb. Bad idea! When I finished and installed the carb the tractor did not want to start. Frustrated, I ordered one of the Chinese built replacements. I installed it and the tractor started and ran fine until under load when it would stall. I opened the main jet and it seemed to be better but not right. So….I changed the points. The set I removed were burnt but, even with the new ones, it continued to stall under load. So, I will go back to original. At this point I would like to have someone who works with these original MS carburetors look at mine and see what the problem might be. I am in Ontario, Canada. Any suggestions? Dave

You have not mentioned anything about the governor. Aa tractor is starting to labor it will need more gas to handle it. The governor linkage provides the movement to the carb throttle plate, If governor is too slow to respond, tractor may stall.

Checked the point gap at .015? Also These tractors have 3 fuel screens ( including sediment bowl )
Another screen is in the fuel inlet going to the carb. Another screen is inside the fuel tank. This can get
rust chunks build up inside the fuel tank. I'd check all three. Drain the fuel out if it isn't fresh.

The main jet should be adjusted around two turns out. The Marvin Schwebler carb is pretty simple inside.

I do not believe it is the governor as it worked just fine before this happened. Also…points at .15”? My shop manual says .24-.26”. We set new points at .24”. It even stutters and misses when letting the clutch out on a flat lawn. After getting the clutch out on the flat it will run smoothly until I start up a hill and it will stall. I see someone, in another post, said a fellow on this board rebuilds carbs…goes by “BG”. Ideas?

Thats right, my mistake... .024 to .025 pint gap. I remember now...

The CORRECT point setting is .014"-.016".

There is no mention of a new condenser. ...Was a new condenser installed as well?

Is the centrifugal advance free to operate?

Distributor cap terminals & rotor good?

Many "carb problems" are ignition related.

Bruce, he has a side-mount distributor.

Yes, Ed. ....I screwed up!

The .015” is indeed for the early front distributor models. Mine is a late 1952 tractor. I appreciate the comments here. I still suspect the carburetor has problems. Interesting that I hear zero about those who might rebuild carburetors. I will disassemble my original carb and start again. Distributor cap and rotor are new. Dave

Dave, we have a great tutorial with photos in our How-To's library that will walk you through rebuilding your M-S carb. Click here to view and download. There are other helpful files there, as well.

If you want a pro to do it, Derek Barkley at Just 8Ns will rebuild it for you, and you will be very happy with it. tel:+1-888-355-9937

Being the stubborn person I am I decided to disassemble the Chinese carburetor. Float was not set properly so I adjusted it. I also removed the inline filter from the brass fuel fitting, Maybe one of these was the problem but it acted just the same and maybe even worse. Started fine and I let it warm up. It would not run unless the choke was out about an inch. If choke was pushed all the way in it would stutter and stall. Why? No idea. After warm up I tried letting the clutch out and it would just stutter and stall. So…..removing the very nice looking Chinese junk and will go back to the Marvel. I will try it once more myself. Now, I see kits for sale for these carbs everywhere. Suggestions? Dave

Thanks Mike and everyone else who has contributed their expertise. I will report back…hopefully to tell everyone I solved the problem. Dave

First, by all means make every attempt to rebuild the original Marvel-Schebler carb. I have rebuilt 2 of these TSX carbs and they are not complicated with the right instructions. The carb off one's weed eater is probably more complex than the Marvel-Schebler TSX carb.
The How-To's section of this forum contains a heading "Fuel System". Under that heading there are 11 articles related to the Marvel
-Schebler carburater. I strongly suggest you read each one. They are well written by knowledgeable mechanics. I personally used the " Carburetor Maintenance Tips", "How to Thoroughly Clean M-S Carburetor Passages" and most importantly "Ford 8N Tractor Overhauls- Carburetor" by Don Steward.
Clear your work bench and place down some clean shop towels. Carefully disassemble your carb per instructions keeping everything orderly. Keep your work area operating room clean. Clean the carb bowel, throttle body and all passages well. Buy quality repair parts: I have had good luck with Mike's Carburetor Parts, www.mikescarb.com, 888-689-9758. They know the Marvel-Schebler carbs and can answer your questions. Reassemble per Don Stewards instructions and you should be good to go.

Success. I disassembled the Marvel and removed all of the new parts from the rebuild kit. I reassembled with all of the original parts which I had thankfully kept. Touched the starter and away it went. I tried all the hills I could find here in third gear and never a hickup. I will never know why but am just happy we are back to normal. Thanks to all. Dave