Ford Powermaster 861 carb issues

[Full Spool]

Hello All,

This is my first tractor and I had some questions regarding the carburetor and year of the tractor. The issue I am having is the tractor will only run with the choke on, once you ****** the choke to full position it stumbles and dies which
I know I have a lean condition. I have cleaned the carburetor, set needles 1.5 turns out, checked fuel flow, adjust main jet, with no luck. The carb is cast iron , 2-5/8" bolt spacing, and has a stamp of 458 on it, I was looking at ebay
to just buy a new carb but nothing has a 2-5/8" bolt spacing, I really can't justify spending $400 from a supplier for a new carb so I am looking for suggestions.

I suspect my issue is in the float mechanism as the needle tends to stick in the brass barrel sometimes, I even bought a new assemble and it still causes problems.

Also, how do I find out the year the tractor was produced?


Thanks,
Full Spool

 

[Roadworthy]

Tractor Data may help you find the production year of the tractor TractorData.com Ford Powermaster 861 tractor information
You seem to have found your problem as a needle and seat thing. Seats are generally replaceable but rebuild kits may be in short supply. If you have a brass needle with grooves near the end of the tapered part where it meets the seat you may be able to spin the needle in an electric drill and smooth the grooves on a very fine piece of sand paper on a flat held at an angle to match the original taper of the needle.

 

[kuschneider]

Post up some pics of the carb and really clean the snot out of it.

 

[jaxs]

Unless I am 101% certain something someone psot's will cause damage AND the damage can not be reversed,I refrain from outright "DON'T DO IT". You will ruin the needle if you sandpaper it. "IF" your problem is poor nweeedle seating (which it doesn't sound like to me) you might help it by applying valve seating compound and rotating needle in seat with your fingers. Auto paint rubbing or polishing compound will do in a pinch if you don't have valve compound.
Now back to regular program. The original carb after being cleaned and rebuilt is light years better than cheap carbs on Ebay. Look for a soft metal tag under one of screws on carb. That identify's carb forwhich rebuild kit it require's. To help you troubleshoot,it's important we know history of how it ran previously,how long ago that was and exactly what has been done/changed since.