Hello fellow Fordson owners! I am the proud owner of a nice '56 Major Diesel for light farm duties here in NW Minnesota. I've had this tractor for about a year now, and the previous owner had a lot of work done to it, including injection pump and injectors rebuilt, wiring, starter, alternator and gauges replaced, new tires, paint, etc. It's been a great tractor for me, aside from once last season when the timing slipped on the pump coupler and I had to re-adjust it.
One thing i've noticed, that doesn't seem to be normal about it is that it is pretty reluctant to start, especially if it's under 60 degrees F. this morning, it was about 35F and it took a good 20+ seconds on the starter to get it to fire (even with the cold start button pressed), and it bucked and belched white smoke for a solid 5 minutes before clearing up. From working on other diesel engine. Since owning, I have run fuel system cleaner through it and tried both retarding and advancing the pump timing on the coupler with little to no effect.
Once warmed up, it runs great and seems to have good power. it ran the 3 point tiller with ease, and the temp gauge mostly stays just over 100.
Hoping someone can steer me in the right direction here as winter is approaching quickly, and I hope to put the old girl to use this winter.
One thing i've noticed, that doesn't seem to be normal about it is that it is pretty reluctant to start, especially if it's under 60 degrees F. this morning, it was about 35F and it took a good 20+ seconds on the starter to get it to fire (even with the cold start button pressed), and it bucked and belched white smoke for a solid 5 minutes before clearing up. From working on other diesel engine. Since owning, I have run fuel system cleaner through it and tried both retarding and advancing the pump timing on the coupler with little to no effect.
Once warmed up, it runs great and seems to have good power. it ran the 3 point tiller with ease, and the temp gauge mostly stays just over 100.
Hoping someone can steer me in the right direction here as winter is approaching quickly, and I hope to put the old girl to use this winter.