58' Fordson Power Major starting

1st, thanks for all the recent info...sorry for so many questions. Got back to my Power Major today. I found my "excess fuel button". I pushed it in & attempted to start it...it "popped" a few times, but, didn't stay running (my throttle is were it was set @ idle when I shut it down)...so, I set the button again, gave it more throttle & it ran for about 3 seconds & sputtered to a stop. So, where do I set the throttle on a diesel to attempt a start? (btw, on the 3rd try, i pushed the button for a 3rd time & I 'feathered" the throttle & it stayed running...but, there muust be a "best" position for the throttle before I start?). Next (see pics) I noticed a missing bolt in the cover behind the injector pump (would this effect starting/running in any way?). 3rd (see pic), to my understanding pulling this button out is the proper way to shut the diesel down? Thanks again, I owe Dandy Dave a beer.
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Another thought. I just spent an hour reading other posts about starting these tractors. There was mention of the decompression lever in front of valve cover. If I understand correctly, for cold weather starting, I should lift the lever up, crank a couple times, than push it back down, push in the excess fuel button & attempt to start. Is this right? Is the down position where it should be to run (see pic), by lifting up, I'm reducing compression? Is this right?
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The throttle should be full open as you are trying to start it. Old Diesels like lots of fuel. As soon as it begins to run and pick up speed the throttle should immediatly, but slowly be moved to a little above idle position. You should let it run for at least 5 minutes to allow a warm up period and to get the oil flowing before you work it. Put a block heater on it and plug it in when it is cold an hour or two before you want it is all you need, as leaving it in all the time will make your meter spin. Doing these things will give you many years of service from your machine. :D
Yes, pulling out the Fuel Shut Off Knob is the correct way to shut it down. Be sure it is all the way in the next time you start it. :wink:
The missing bolt will not affect the way it runs, but should be replaces to keep dirt, and insects from entering the engine. Just think what a mud wasp nest would do to it. :shock: oooowch. Have a Fordsonful Day folks. :D Dandy Dave!
 
Yes, down is run position, and up is decompressed.... However, The owners manual says that you should never crank it with the starter while it is in the up position and decompressed. Only crank it with a hand crank or "enertia starter", (Which was an option provided on tractors shipped to extreamly cold areas.) The pistons come very close to the valves in a diesel and you could do dammage to these parts. Dandy Dave!
 
kennebunksawmill
I have not worked on one of these.
That hole in the first picture should have a bolt in it.
It looks to me that it is a side cover on the engine.
There should be at least one more bolt on that cover; so remove the other one and see if you can find one the same.
Dandy Dave, do you agree?
Brian
 
Next time you try to start, open that bleeder under where no. 1 is on the pump and give the pump [under the filter] a few pumps, you may have air. just a thought.
The side plate, covering the pushrods has two bolts, the effect it has will allow oil to leak.
How long since you replenished the oil in the air filter.You have a depression in the hose, may not affect it.
 
The Bleeder is on the side of the pump, just below where the injector lines go to cylinders #1, and #2. Number one cylinder starts from the front of the engine back in sequence... 2,3,and 4. It can clearly be seen in your photo above. It is just a small plug but is right there. Dandy Dave!
 
As I mentioned in another post I recently purchased this tractor from kennebunksawmill. I spent some time with it this weekend and can now tell you why he was having so much trouble starting it.

First: I found 2 bent pushrods, both on the #3 cylinder, The exhaust was no longer under the rocker and the Intake was just barley opening.

Second: the timing was way off, @ 23 BTDC the mark on the coupling was still 1/4" below the mark on the tab.

Once these conditions were fixed it starts up easily and runs great. The only way it would start before was with starting fluid, the stuff he was using was intended for use on Diesels it has lubrication in it so hopefully did not damage.

Richard
 
Alaric
I think you purchased a great old tractor!
Glad to hear the motor was easily repaired.
Did you get the backhoe re-installed yet?
Good luck with it.
Brian
 
(quoted from post at 06:20:26 05/26/09) Alaric
Did you get the backhoe re-installed yet?
Brian

Not yet, the backhoe is missing some parts, the lower boom, bucket and cylinder. I will be posting pictures and questions about it in a separate thread shortly.

Richard
 
I have a fordson major i stopped it with the pull cord the other night went to start it yesterday and it wont start there is plenty of diesel in it i turned the nut on the injector pump and plenty of diesel came out i loosened of number one injector pipe and when turning over the engine diesel came out but not a great deal anyone got any ideas what could be up?
 

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