Ford 3500 industrial.....HELP

[ifl123]

City boy trying to be a land owner....

Bought this tractor with front loader.... last owner stated it was a 3500 industrial but knew nothing about it, except belived it was late 60's. here are my questions:

1. how do i find out the year? tried looking for serial number but **** there's alot of numbers on it, even went to a site that breaks down vin number but eithier i was looking at wrong number or my tractor did not exist...

2. where the heck do i put the hydrulic fluid fot the loader? it has started to squeek and if load is too heavy will start to fall..

3. while its running, it will build up pressure in the spark plugs and at least one plug will pop off, you can litterality hear it "pop", i have replced the plugs but still doing it, why?

i would like to give it a full "tune up/oil change", what all do i need to do?

finding ANY parts has been a chalenge.

please speak in simple terms, i am VERY green and not mechiniclly inclined, thank you!!

 

[markmechanic]

Suggest you invest in this service repair manual, shop for best price.

https://www.google.com/webhp?source...=service repair manual for ford 3500 tractors

1965-1975 FORD TRACTOR FACTORY REPAIR SHOP & SERVICE MANUAL 2000, 3000, 400, 7000, 3400, 3500, 3550, 4400, 4500, 550, 5550: FORD TRACTOR MOTORS: Amazon.com: Books

 

[Opti-Mist]

Here is a bit of info: TractorData.com Ford 3500 industrial tractor information
The 3500 was introduced in 1965. https://www.google.com/search?q=ford+3500+industrial+tractor&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
The data needed in located on the top of the transmission boss just aft of the starter. You may have to do some scraping to find the Build Code, Model Number and serial number.

 

[ifl123]

thank you

 

[skyhook]

3. while its running, it will build up pressure in the spark plugs and at least one plug will pop off, you can litterality hear it "pop", i have replced the plugs but still doing it, why?
please speak in simple terms,

You first, , when you say it pops off, :confused2:

 

[geneP]

My guess is that the plug is blowing out of the head. If so, the spark plug threads are bad in the head on that cylinder. Not being mechanically inclined, I would say he needs professional help.

 

[LD1]

I believe on that model, the hydraulic fluid goes in the loader posts.

Use this for year and model info FORD CODES and SERIAL NUMBERS

 

[GManBart]

Can you post pictures of both sides of the machine and one from the rear showing the rear axle/3pt setup? Also pictures of any sets of numbers, and a description of where those numbers are located would be very helpful.

When you say the spark plugs pop off, do you mean they're no longer connected to the engine? If so, there isn't an easy fix for that problem....it means the threads are ruined, and you're looking at some serious work to fix.

 

[paulfun9]

There is always an easy fix! Repairing the threads with the engine still together can be done very easy, The trick is doing it and knowing how to limit the amount of contamination you get into the cyl and how to clean what does out before starting the machine. Grease, rags, magnets and a shop vac will make the job painless and get it done without tearing the head off.

 

[GManBart]

There is always an easy fix! Repairing the threads with the engine still together can be done very easy, The trick is doing it and knowing how to limit the amount of contamination you get into the cyl and how to clean what does out before starting the machine. Grease, rags, magnets and a shop vac will make the job painless and get it done without tearing the head off.

Yeah, there's always an easy fix...pay somebody who knows what they're doing a bunch of money.

It might be an easy job for you, but not for someone who claims to be not very mechanically inclined. If the plugs are popping out, it's going to take more than cleaning up the threads...it means drilling one size larger, then tapping after ensuring the next size larger plug will fit in the recess in the head. That's no rocket science, but not exactly a task for somebody learning as they go.

 

[RickB]

If the plug wires are popping off, its because compression is leaking past a loose spark plug, or there is dirt interfering with the crush ring on the plug that seals to the cylinder head. remove plugs, clean plug seat area, reinstall making sure crush ring is present, or better yet, replace the plugs while you are at it.

 

[skyhook]

Theres no need for "drilling",
like Paul said, it can be done with a little knowledge.

Google "spark plug heli coils".

I'm still not sure if the OP meant the plugs are blowing out of their cylinder.

 

[GManBart]

Theres no need for "drilling",
like Paul said, it can be done with a little knowledge.

Google "spark plug heli coils".

I'm still not sure if the OP meant the plugs are blowing out of their cylinder.

There are times when you still have to drill with a Heli Coil...maybe not often, but it happens. It still doesn't seem like the kind of job for someone who says they aren't very mechanically inclined, and probably doesn't have much in the way of tools, a compressor, etc. Even before you turn a wrench there can be problems with that sort of fix....what happens when the socket for the heli coil tap won't fit into the recess for the spark plug?....it happens.

A heli coil kit for that probably runs $30-50 and I'd be willing to be there's a diesel/heavy equipment mechanic in the greater San Antonio area who would do that fix for $100 total.

 

[ovrszd]

A heli coil kit for that probably runs $30-50 and I'd be willing to be there's a diesel mechanic in the greater San Antonio area who would do that fix for $100 total.

If it's a diesel it doesn't have spark plugs. And I can't see a diesel shop putting in heli coils for $100. But maybe in Michigan.

 

[GManBart]

If it's a diesel it doesn't have spark plugs. And I can't see a diesel shop putting in heli coils for $100. But maybe in Michigan.

Sorry, I should have said "heavy equipment" mechanic. I'm was thinking of the guys that work as a mechanic M-F, and do side work on the weekends. At the very least it's worth exploring.

Somebody like this who guarantees their work, has references, etc:

Farm Tractor Repair and Painting

 

[skyhook]

A heli coil kit for that probably runs $30-50 and I'd be willing to be there's a diesel/heavy equipment mechanic in the greater San Antonio area who would do that fix for $100 total.

So thats not as serious as you said earlier, is it.

When you say the spark plugs pop off, do you mean they're no longer connected to the engine? If so, there isn't an easy fix for that problem....it means the threads are ruined, and you're looking at some serious work to fix.

 

[ovrszd]

So thats not as serious as you said earlier, is it.

I guess that would depend on the individual.

 

[geneP]

I suppose all of this is conjecture until the original poster cares enough to come back and post more info.

 

[paulfun9]

So thats not as serious as you said earlier, is it.

No its not that serious. Any local mechanic from the backyard and small engine repair guy all the way up to the industrial mechanic could install them in no time flat. On an open engine like a tractor even the novice could do it with ease and call in the pro if they run into a problem.