Standard 23C Engine. Drill for glow plugs?

[Trevj]

I am the new owner of a FE-35 Ferguson with a Standard 23C in it.

The head is the plain version, no glow plugs on it.

In my wanderings around the web, I came across some mentions of drilling and tapping for glow plugs.

Anyone here got any experience with?

Pretty sure it was on the Vintage Tractor Engineer site that they also mentioned opening up the pre-cup entry ports, essntially matching the ports to the gasket. Anyone done that?

Looking to see what can be done to make an easier starting tractor, if anything. I understand that there are a couple different heads out there for this engine. Not like they are common as dirt at a wrecking yard, but...

Cheers
Trev

 

[Dieseltech]

I have a 1958 TO-35 23C plain head also, and the thermostart works fine IF used at 15 seconds before cranking. I'd never drill for glow plugs as I prefer the thermostart. When I rebuilt mine I used custom made Deutz valves to get the compression a bit higher, but did not open up the chamber ports. I've heard opening them up MAY help a bit, but was told it will smoke more too, and the head gasket should be in place to make sure the chamber is not damaged where the compression seal ring is located..

 

[Trevj]

Thanks for the input.

I am not settled upon the idea yet, but it was something that I had run across.

Near as I can tell, I have no thermostart either, on this machine. Will root through it and check, though.

I have a fair bit of experience with hack mechanicing on diesels, between a series of VW Diesel IDI Jetta's, and a 6.5 Chev truck that I owned for several years.

Because of them, I am fairly aquainted with the use of plugs and timers to preheat.

Before any of that happens, though, have to get the clutch sorted, then like as not, injection timing, and injectors.

In the meantime, it does take a whiff of ether to start.

Cheers
Trev