farmall h engine surges

whenever i run my farmall h, the engine surges up and down at idling rpms, maximum rpms, and everywhere in between. when i put the tractor under a load, the engine eventually cuts and i have to put the choke on and grind the starter for about 15 seconds until it turns over again and it still surges. Is this a governor or carb problem and how can i correct it?

I would start with fuel delivery, a steady stream the size of a small (old tyme) sweetheart drinking straw is needed to supply the carb. Glogs happen at the tank to sediment bowl (at the tank hole), in the sediment bowl, andin the screen that is in the fitting at the carb connection. (there should be no extra filter in it, if there is, take it out.
If good flow, the carb may be plugged up internally. If you are comfortable taking on a carb rebuild do it with a kit from IH. If not have someone do it. Do not keep cranking it to get it started. Wait for 4 minutes and it will restart. This is only till you geyt it where you will fix it. Keep rsponding to this so we stay on the same page. We can make it right. Jim

well, i loosened the drain plug for the carb and i got a smooth consistant flow. i was tryin to loosen the connection between the carb and the sediment bowl but i then thought i wouldnt be able to git it screwed back on so i decided to check from the drain plug.

Make sure the intake manifold is secure to the head (not easy to see the nuts) They are brass and subject to stripping. Also make sure the carb is attached to the manifold w/o leaks. If it is tight and leak free, the carb may be plugged up internally. There is also the possibility that the intake manifold is cracked between the exhaust ports, and the intake. It is hard to find with the exhaust pipe still on it, but a possible issue. Try the manifold nuts and carb nuts and then try it again. If no better, the carb is next. It could be a failing coil or condenser, but choking it to keep it running popints to fuel. Jim

Could be either or neither...If you have good fuel flow, take the carb apart and spray it all well and thouroughly with good (not the eco friendly AlGore approved crap) carb and choke cleaner, stick the straw in all the passages make sure it flows through and none are plugged, check that the needle seat is good, make sure the choke shaft is moving free and easy...then refer to the manual and set all adjustments back to reccomended settings, make sure the carb/manifold gasket is good (do you ever see any icing even in waem weather either by that gasket or anywhere on the carb?) then try and see what you have...(other than the part about using the choke I would think governor spring is your issue) so try the carb stuff first.
Does it start normally on cold start up?...or maybe does it start when you are starting to disengage the starter? This may indicate a timing issue...again refer to a manual and use the twist the distributer til it sparks method to get you in the ball park.
If that all fails, and ya have checked the manifild like mentioned below and it's still acting funny, then check your governor spring, reset the governor adjustment to manual specs and check your throttle/governor linkeages for binding ir excessive play.
Then we need to talk electrical if all else fails...is this new for the tractor to do this, or is the tractor new to you? Is the system still 6 volt or has it been cobbed up and converted to 12v? Is the coil the proper coil? If it's a 6v system and you have a 6v coil you should be ok, or it may be a 6v system with a 12v coil in which case you need an inline resistor or your coil will get hot and cut out. Also I just had an intermitent problem with a condenser on one of our Deeres...I had always thought condensers were either good or bad...NOT!
How about the plugs? Checked for fouling or excessive carbon (too rich) or brown (too lean), plug wires? any cracks, or arcing to the chassis?
Hope amy of this helps! Pete

I do notice that the carb gets frost on it even at warm temperatures. Im really new to this h because i just recently bought it. is the carb simple to take apart and put back together? are there alot of parts internally? if not then it shouldnt be much of a challenge for me...hopefully

(quoted from post at 17:53:35 05/12/10) I do notice that the carb gets frost on it even at warm temperatures. Im really new to this h because i just recently bought it. is the carb simple to take apart and put back together? are there alot of parts internally? if not then it shouldnt be much of a challenge for me...hopefully

Click to expand...

There are not a lot of parts inside an H carburetor, but neither is it simple, and irrepairable damage CAN be done by an inexperienced tinkerer.

I also think the surging symptoms are caused by the governor, and have nothing to do with the carburetor.