Pulled an old Ford out of bushes and found out why it was there

[ovrszd]

Tractor data.com says they were built from 1983-1989. Here's a link to their information. TractorData.com Ford 291 tractor information

Hope you get it running. I love my 3910. For every hour I put on my larger Kubota I put 4 hours on my 3910. Very handy and well equipped tractors.

 

[topbuilder]

"When we removed the old fuel pump, the drive hub has a notch that fits in a slot in the timing gear, so it'll only install one
way."
You have three cylinders needing fuel at exacting the right time. Odds are your fuel pump is not timed to the crank and cam.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Now, I dont know much about diesels, but i do believe there are timing marks that all need to be lined up. Maybe timing marks on the engine and a keyway slot facing a certain way.. Or, a dowel pin that lines up with the gears, which means no real issue just pulling/replacing, however, you have no idea if it was correct before you started. The old man couldnt get it started either, remember? I'm betting he missed with it. But there definitely is a timing setting to it.

The other thing is - did you pull an blow out all the lines? I think you said you cleaned the injectors, but still found one clogged when you pulled them again. That would lead me to believe that there is still water/crud in the fuel system.

 

[Mysfyt]

sure the old guy that owned it, said he used most of a can of starting fluid trying to get it started again after it sat all winter, then just gave up on it.

This explains the bent pushrods.

 

[TORQUIN]

Recheck the timing. There should be marks on the flywheel and in the injector pump that need to be in the right places. The manual will tell you about this. From what I have read, you need to advance your timing. I had a 63 Ford 4000D and it blew out white smoke all the time. I didn't know any better, just thought it was old. When I pulled the injector pump off to replace the a bad seal in the bottom of it I had to reset the timing on it. I'm here to tell you it was a night and day difference. Not a lick of white smoke any more, and when you jumped on the throttle she'd choke out black smoke. About twice the power from before. I didn't know what I didn't know, but was sure glad I learned.

Chris

 

[Jerry/MT]

Is your return to tank line clear? It's the line that runs from the injector pump directly to the tank. Make sure it's not plugged.

The mist from your injectors should be identical; same size and shape and same droplet size. You can eyeball this.

Leaking injectors can burn piston crowns, excessive starter fluid can break rings and piston lands so do that compression test.

Compression should be around 400-450 psi.

 

[mrkool]

"There should be marks on the flywheel and in the injector pump that need to be in the right places. The manual will tell you about this"
This is what the F0-43 IT Manual shows

I did not check the return line from the injectors, will check that.

Now after reading some, should the mist from the injectors be 2 or 4 ? because I saw only 2 but the book says 4, guess I need to recheck them.

Also, any way to separate water from diesel fuel ? Does the water float or sink to the bottom of the tank ?

So if I want to test the compression, what the best tool to use for that ? My injectors are held in by a bolt on both sides.



I have to say, I'll be 60 next month and I've worked on a lot of machines, but old tractors are both tough as nails, but also, it makes you feel good when it runs again.

 

[sd455dan]

"There should be marks on the flywheel and in the injector pump that need to be in the right places. The manual will tell you about this"
This is what the F0-43 IT Manual shows View attachment 476934

I did not check the return line from the injectors, will check that.

Now after reading some, should the mist from the injectors be 2 or 4 ? because I saw only 2 but the book says 4, guess I need to recheck them.

Also, any way to separate water from diesel fuel ? Does the water float or sink to the bottom of the tank ?

So if I want to test the compression, what the best tool to use for that ? My injectors are held in by a bolt on both sides.

View attachment 476939

I have to say, I'll be 60 next month and I've worked on a lot of machines, but old tractors are both tough as nails, but also, it makes you feel good when it runs again.

You will need a diesel compression tester with the 2 post adapter that fits in place of your Ford injector.

 

[topbuilder]

MrKool. Have you ever replaced a distributor in a V8? What you did was took a distributor out of the box and slid it in expecting it to work. Those external marks have nothing to do with timing it. They fine tune it when it is already in time. On a diesel the injection pump is both the pump and the distributor. You had a 1 in 12 chance of putting it in correctly out of the box.

 

[banjodunn]

G'day as others have said a compression test is the first thing looking at your vid it sounds low on compression also it sounds to be only firing on 1 cyl I would be taking the inj to a reputable shop and get them to check for you., you may be able to find some new online cheap just make sure they are for your model.
Good luck with it and let us know how you get on.


Jon