Gasoline continues to change, folks.
I was blindsided Thanksgiving day when a bearing failed in the steering gear of my 52 8N preventing me from steering to the left. I use the 52 as my quad. It has a carry-all on the lift full of hand tools, chain saws, fuel cans, etc. It is the only one of my vintage Fords (all 6V) that I use in the winter, and I rely on it.
The tractor was about 200 yards from the barn when the steering gear locked up and I was unable to clear it. Eventually, I was able to get it back inside the barn by driving around in circles. When I reached the pavement, I forced it into its space using the brakes. So far, so good, but I will not be able to repair the steering gear box for some time so alternative plans must be made.
OK. I will unhitch the 5' cutter from the 51, the carry-all from the 52 and put the carry-all on the 51 to use as my quad until I can overhaul the steering gearbox on the 52. There are sound reasons why I use the 52 as the quad and the 51 with the 5' cutter but I will not bore you with such.
The 51 was parked for the winter 4-6 weeks ago with summer formula gasoline in the tank as I had no plans to use it until, perhaps, May. Yes, I do charge the batteries every 4 - 6 weeks in seasonally used machines during periods of non use, and will start each on occasion if the temperature reaches 55 (F) or so. I make no effort to start seasonally used machines in cold ambient if they have summer formula fuel in the tank.
Here comes the useful information, folks.
It was in the mid 20s (F) this morning and my schedule required that I get the "quad" out early to get the weekend projects done. This forced me to start the 51 in sub freezing temperatures with summer formula gasoline in the tank against my wishes.
Fuel on. Ignition on. Throttle 3/4 (it's cold, folks, the engine has 15W40 in the sump and the transdraulic sump is filled with GL-1). Clutch depressed.... Decision time: Like you, I have only two hands and the left must operate the starter button. I would like to be able to hold/feather the choke with the right but with summer formula gas in the tank I also want to spray starting fluid in the air filter inlet while cranking the engine. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.
OK. Let's spray starting fluid in the AF grill (don't want to take the time and aggrivation to remove the AF/Carb tube) and save the right hand for the choke. Unfortunately, I cannot spray the SF WHILE cranking the engine and keep my right hand on the choke. Full choke. Crank, crank, crank, pop, pop, pop, (one or two cylinders) but no start. Damn. Repeat. Similar. Repeat again. No pops and gasoline dripping regularly from the carb.
OK. Badly flooded. Easily done, especially when trying to start in cold weather with summer formula gasoline.
Experience has taught me to pull the plugs and sand blast before attempting to start once a low compression N engine is badly flooded with modern EPA gasoline.
Ok, pull 'em out. DAMN! They're bone dry, folks, despite a 6" puddle of gasoline on the floor beneath the carb. Damn EPA gasoline won't evaporate, and carburetor cannot carburate.
Plugs back in. No choke. Starting fluid in right hand spraying in AF grill WHILE cranking. No choke. Fires right up on all cylinders. Starting fluid can on foot board. Right hand on choke knob. Engine at governor speed. Reduce throttle to about 1200 RPM. Run for 30 seconds or so. Hand on choke. Release clutch gradually to raise lift. Lift up. Second gear to move outside of barn.
Bottom line: Gasoline is not what it once was, and such incidences did not happen in the "good old days."
Dean
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