Ford 6610

Hello all,

Just picked up a new to me Ford 6610 Series II. Overall really nice tractor. A couple questions for people who know a lot more than I do.

Are these engines just naturally loud when idling? It sounds good from what I can tell, but the overall noise is pretty loud coming from this engine. I've read these 268's just naturally make a ton of racket. Wanted to makes sure my timing is correct and not out of whack. It does have a DPS rotary pump on it as well, which I guess could make it louder.

My 2nd question is the classic starter problem. Every 3-4 times I go to start the tractor the starter just "spins". I checked the battery and it's right where it should be. Checked the alternator to make sure it's charging. Is this most likely the solenoid on top of the starter or the relay switch mounted to the side? Sorry if my terminology is off. Photo below.

I think I might start by cleaning all the terminals. Is there a test I can run to make sure the switch/relay is working? The starter was rebuilt last year so it could be that it just wasn't rebuilt correctly.

268s with inline pumps set at 27 degrees are loud. A rotary pump should make it quieter, not louder. Maybe someone advanced it too far. Try
loosening the 3 mounting bolts and turning the top of the pump towards the engine a little and see if that helps.

If the starter motor spins but the engine does not, you have a bad starter drive. Easy to replace if the rest of the motor is good.

The Series II tractors do make more noise than the earlier ones. I have also been told that was due to the Pump and delivery
valve design, I had a customer pay me to tear his down and put it back together, because he knew something was wrong inside.
We didn't find anything and it was still noisy. As for the starter, either put a new starter drive or a new starter on it and
move on. There are so many aftermarket starters on Fords now you may never find the right drive. I've probably got 10 junkers
laying in the corner now and doubt any of them will interchange.

They are noisier, my 6610 is noisier than the old 5000
My 3930 engine is a lot noisier than my 4000

I replaced the Lucas starter on my 6610 with a Bosch starter for a 7740, the engine cranks or faster now and starts better in cool weather

(quoted from post at 20:04:05 08/10/21)
They are noisier, my 6610 is noisier than the old 5000
My 3930 engine is a lot noisier than my 4000

I replaced the Lucas starter on my 6610 with a Bosch starter for a 7740, the engine cranks or faster now and starts better in cool weather

Click to expand...

Thank you for the info. Found a few places that sell the Bosch starter you mentioned. Do these starters hook up identical to the Lucas one I have now? The previous owner had the starter rebuilt and Im not so sure it was gone through all the way. Cheaper to just get a new one and be done with it.

(quoted from post at 19:40:20 08/10/21) 268s with inline pumps set at 27 degrees are loud. A rotary pump should make it quieter, not louder. Maybe someone advanced it too far. Try
loosening the 3 mounting bolts and turning the top of the pump towards the engine a little and see if that helps.

If the starter motor spins but the engine does not, you have a bad starter drive. Easy to replace if the rest of the motor is good.

Click to expand...

Thank for info on the timing. The pump right now looks pretty straight up and down with the engine (if that makes any sense). How far towards the engine should I try it?

There should be some hash marks on the pump timing cover, along with a single line on the pump. Scrape away paint if needed. Try moving one
full mark at a time (about 1/8 as I recall).

Starter hooks up the same
The Bosch starter is about 1 inch longer but fits just fine

curious as to the external solenoid and what looks to be a gas starter in the picture. The original diesel starter had a two step engagement, one where is spun slowly as the bendix moved into flywheel, where a second contact made to spin up the starter at full speed,, after a firm engagement. The starter in the picture looks short maybe, and the external solenoid was not used on diesel.

(quoted from post at 19:22:51 08/12/21) curious as to the external solenoid and what looks to be a gas starter in the picture. The original diesel starter had a two step engagement, one where is spun slowly as the bendix moved into flywheel, where a second contact made to spin up the starter at full speed,, after a firm engagement. The starter in the picture looks short maybe, and the external solenoid was not used on diesel.

Click to expand...

Is the external solenoid a relay for the starter? The wiring connected to the solenoid seem fairly straight forward. I got my tester out and there is 12.34 volts at the external solenoid, and the same down to the starter. Makes me think it might be a relay.

I think the starter is my problem and I need to get a new one. The previous owner had the starter rebuild at a local shop and I believer there could still be issues with it.

Yes, someone added that starter relay. It was never installed at the factory.