1952 WD losing power

Tractor starts normally, but after a minute or so, it will stall when engaging the transmission. Acts kinda like its over heating but temp gage show normal, no leaks. New distributor assy a year ago, air cleaner / oil bath always clean, I can't find a reason! 

Blackjack Dale wrote: Tractor starts normally, but after a minute or so, it will stall when engaging the transmission. There is one item on the block I can't identify.. perhaps a timing regulator? Little arm that connects on one side of the block to the secondary choke at top of carb, pushes a rod in front of the block, which pulls an arm into the distributor assy on other side of the block. I found that turning the screw in a bit revved the motor up a bit, but ultimately was no help when pulling into gear.

If it won't move at all when letting the clutch out, will it shift to neutral and run when you let the clutch ouy? It could be stuck in 2 gears when you shift it, but normally will still be in one gear when the lever is in neutral position.

The arm on the side of the carb is the throttle(not a secondary choke) and is connected thru linkage to the front and across to the governor, which is inside the housing where the mag or distributor bolts on. If you run the tractor at half throttle and attempt to slow it down or speed it up by grabbing the throttle shaft on the carb, you should feel the governor resist your attempts at changing the speed. If that doesn't happen, your governor may not be working and that would let it die when you let the clutch out.
 That screw is the idle adjusting screw for setting low idle after carb is properly adjusted.


Edited by CTuckerNWIL - 12 Jun 2015 at 4:49pm

Thanks for the tip. I did remove the plug, and even though it seemed to drain steadily, I thought what the heck, while I'm here I put a couple ounces of STP in the tank and let a gallon flow thru. Didn't fix my problem, but I feel better knowing one more thing its NOT.. another wrote me to check the thermostat, and sure enough, it was stuck closed. Tractor Supply says they'll have my replacement in a week. 

Thanks for the tip! The governor appears to be working, it resists my pressure when the engine is running, the rotor does allow a bit of movement in both directions, so hopefully that new thermostat will fix my trouble. Will post back next week after it arrives. Thanks to all for your responses.

I rebuilt the whole distributor assy a year ago, new plugs and wires at that time too.  Will pull them out and take a look,  will plan to pick up a new wire set when I get that thermostat.  Thanks for your insight!

Like said, what you refer to as secondary choke sounds like your throttle linkage and governor, go the other way, with tractor off, stand on the other side and watch the linkage as you advance the throttle and see how everything moves and I think you will understand this better.

Just remember there are TWO rolls of the wire mesh filter up in that air cleaner. It's pretty easy to pull one out and not notice the other one up there. It will make a tremendous difference in power if it's plugged. Figured that out about '71.

Hervey