UPDATE: MF 230 RED HOT exhaust

TJ in KY · Feb 3, 2012

I started tractor up yesterday and after idling about 10 min. the pipe was starting to glow dull red. I put IR thermometer on it and it pegged it out at over 1000 deg F. Put timing light on and could not see any markings on flywheel. So I set static timing per the book and then checked timing with light again at full troddle and it was on 28 BTDC. Let it idle again for 10 min. and checked with IR thermometer on and it was 575 deg F. Used it to do some cleanup around barnyard and checked it again and temp was about 400 deg.
I don't know why it was off so much, and I would like to blame previous owner but since I have had it over 8 years I guess I will blame myself. It doesnot get used much so I guess I just never noticed it other than sometimes it would continue to run after turning key off.
Oh well at least I didnot set barn or hay field on fire...

fixerupper · Feb 3, 2012

Glad to hear you got it cooled down and the best part is it was an easy fix. Jim

HD in finding out the hard way

GVSII · Feb 3, 2012

(quoted from post at 08:15:21 02/03/12) I started tractor up yesterday and after idling about 10 min. the pipe was starting to glow dull red. I put IR thermometer on it and it pegged it out at over 1000 deg F. Put timing light on and could not see any markings on flywheel. So I set static timing per the book and then checked timing with light again at full troddle and it was on 28 BTDC. Let it idle again for 10 min. and checked with IR thermometer on and it was 575 deg F. Used it to do some cleanup around barnyard and checked it again and temp was about 400 deg.
I don't know why it was off so much, and I would like to blame previous owner but since I have had it over 8 years I guess I will blame myself. It doesnot get used much so I guess I just never noticed it other than sometimes it would continue to run after turning key off.
Oh well at least I didnot set barn or hay field on fire...

Just a guess but I'd think the dist. hold down bolt loosened up.

BCnT · Feb 3, 2012

if youre still running points,the rubbing block wears down and changes gap...that also changes timing...dwell meter is your friend.

TJ in KY · Feb 3, 2012

I had a dwell meter years ago, and wished i had one now. I think i will look for one maybe on ebay, since I have 3, 4 cylinder gas tractors to maintain I think it would be handy.

Dave C* · Feb 3, 2012

You may want to check your distributor shaft bushings. Sounds like one is seizing to the shaft and pulling the housing with it. This will retard your timing.

Dave

UPDATE: MF 230 RED HOT exhaust

TJ in KY

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fixerupper

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GVSII

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BCnT

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TJ in KY

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Dave C*

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