Hard Starting 73 Ford 3550

[CrosbyFamilyFarm]

So I'm here in Ct and it's about 60 degrees out. When I start my tractor it turns and turns and turns, the oil pressure slowly goes up and once it hits around 40-43 psi it stops increasing and doesn't turn over for another 60-90 seconds. This seems like an inordinate amount of time for a diesel to try to crank. Am I doing something wrong? What should I be looking at? Any help would be awesome because winter is right around the corner and I need it to plow!

 

[knukey]

Glow plugs bad?

 

[CrosbyFamilyFarm]

This may seem like a stupid question, forgive me if it is.

Do all diesels have glow plugs? I give the key a quarter turn and let it sit there for about two minutes and then try to start it. I've seen this model tractor with an added heater as an extra so I questioned whether or not it had glow plugs.

The biggest oddity to me (granted I'm a novice) is that the oil pressure hovers at 40 psi for so long.

 

[Soundguy]

she making any smoke when cranking? color?

DO you actually have thermo start AND working?

she start ok with engine warm?

she start ok with ambient air temp warmer?

does she use ether? ( has she used ether? )

correct battery and good cables and she turn over real fast?

 

[CrosbyFamilyFarm]

while it's cranking its making a dark grey smoke. Not black, not white. It does not smoke when running.
I don't have a working thermostat, but I worked with it this morning and then left it outside for about six hours before restarting.
It starts fairly quickly when the engine has been running within the last 45-60 minutes.
I have owned it for only about a month, so I am unsure how it starts in the summer.
I have not used ether with it, though I think the previous owner used to spray some in on occasion.
It has a brand new battery and the cables seem good to me.

 

[Soundguy]

if it has been used on ether.. starts ok warm.. and has no trhermostart. I'd say you've inherited a low compression addict.

 

[CrosbyFamilyFarm]

SoundGuy... why do you mock me so?!

What do you mean by a low compression addict?! <-- Worried!

 

[Soundguy]

SoundGuy... why do you mock me so?!

mock you?

What do you mean by a low compression addict?! <-- Worried!

diesels are a compression ignition. fuel, air, squeeze.. very high compression / compression ratio is needed to auto ignite the fuel charge.

when you get a real worn engine.. it can lose compression. some people bandaid this along with a can of starter fluid. the more they use it.. the more they need it. starter fluid can blow the lands and rings off of pistons.

An ether addict is one that requires ether to start in anything but optimum conditions. like a warmed engine on a warm day.

Mock you? expalin...

 

[CrosbyFamilyFarm]

That makes perfect sense.

As far as mocking me, I was not offended nor intended any offense. I was just being dramatic and trying to be funny. Mostly because I'm a bit stressed about my new tractor being useful in the winter and I don't understand a lot of mechanical lingo. Sorry for the confusion!