No power on 742

[jodyo]

Hi, I own a 1980 742 Bobcat. It has a 4 cylinder Ford engine in it and has been giving me a bit of trouble lately. It runs like a top when it sits and does nothing, both at full throttle and at an idle. When you push the sticks forward is starts to run rough. It doesn't stall but has very little power. I have put in a new fuel filter, checked and cleaned the air cleaner, checked and cleaned the plugs and put gas line antifreeze in tank. I don't know what else to do on this old girl. She has been a great unit for the last 3 years that I have owned her. Can anyone give me some suggestions?

 

[jerry]

check the point gap first, too close a gap will do that. the ford in my 632 did that when the points closed up for some reason. if you don't have a gauge handy just eyeball it at about 15 thousandths and that will get you closer. then check the timing and there is also a vacuum advance in the dist make sure the hose is not leaking vacuum and if is ok then when u check the timing and increase the engine speed you should see a change in timing if the advance is working. It may be stuck or rusted or a hole in the diaphragm.
when checking the points they have to be on the top of the lobe

 

[OldMachinist]

check the point gap first, too close a gap will do that. the ford in my 632 did that when the points closed up for some reason. if you don't have a gauge handy just eyeball it at about 15 thousandths and that will get you closer. then check the timing and there is also a vacuum advance in the dist make sure the hose is not leaking vacuum and if is ok then when u check the timing and increase the engine speed you should see a change in timing if the advance is working. It may be stuck or rusted or a hole in the diaphragm.
when checking the points they have to be on the top of the lobe

Also check that the governor is working.

 

[Rich M-37]

Also check that the governor is working.

Here is another stupid little thing I had go wrong with the 1.6 ford engine in a pinto, The feed wire to the distributor wore through the insulation and would ground out. It was an intermitten problem. I found it when I pulled the dist. Rich M-37

 

[jodyo]

Also check that the governor is working.

Hi, where would i find the govenor?

 

[OldMachinist]

Hi, where would i find the govenor?

The throttle linkage from the carburetor will be attached to it. The governor on the Ford engine is belt driven and is filled with oil. Download the Ford engine service manual here http://www.mediafire.com/file/qvqywnwv2nj/engine_service_ford.pdf or you can go here to download all the 742 service manual sections http://www.mediafire.com/?wk8boxnybvnkc

 

[jodyo]

check the point gap first, too close a gap will do that. the ford in my 632 did that when the points closed up for some reason. if you don't have a gauge handy just eyeball it at about 15 thousandths and that will get you closer. then check the timing and there is also a vacuum advance in the dist make sure the hose is not leaking vacuum and if is ok then when u check the timing and increase the engine speed you should see a change in timing if the advance is working. It may be stuck or rusted or a hole in the diaphragm.
when checking the points they have to be on the top of the lobe

jerry, thanks for the tip. i had time today to check the points, and they weren't opening up at all. i half assed set the gap and it runs like a charm. cheers jo

 

[jerry]

jerry, thanks for the tip. i had time today to check the points, and they weren't opening up at all. i half assed set the gap and it runs like a charm. cheers jo

jodyo, good to hear it was a simple fix, feedback on problems whether the suggestions work or not is what makes this forum work. never did figure out why my points closed up.
if not from wear or loose adjustment it would almost have to be worn bushings in the dist. good luck

 

[craigb93]

jodyo, good to hear it was a simple fix, feedback on problems whether the suggestions work or not is what makes this forum work. never did figure out why my points closed up.
if not from wear or loose adjustment it would almost have to be worn bushings in the dist. good luck

Be sure to keep just the least touch of wheel bearing grease on the distributor cam lobes or the rubbing block on the points will wear in short order, closing up the gap. Dick