Missing Breather on Major Diesel

[kadkins]

Hello from down under,
Since my last post I have successfully encouraged the Major to blow little smoke and sound like a real Fordson. My next question concerns the Breather that should be on the timing cover, this major does not have one. The hole that it should fit into is blanked off. There is however a breather pipe ftom air cleaner to the top of the rocker cover. ? is it necessary to have the breather unit on the timing cover.
There is also no device for the hour meter. Last question, I cannot find any serial number stamped on this motor. No number above Simms pump or near starter motor.

Keith

http://a.imageshack.us/img693/9041/1001041l.jpg

[henk]

Keith,

I notice you have another timing cover than mine. So it could be another engine.
You have the silent coupling on the diesel pump. This could be changed later.
You say 1957, is the throttle lever going through the block behind the pump or going in front of the engine?
Last one would be a Mark II and after April 1957.
I don’t think New Major needs a breather, but if the engine was changed who knows.
The proof meter unit was an option. One could also buy a hour meter that would only counts the hours.
Mine has a pipe from the rocker cover going in to the inlet manifold.
Is there a number plate on the fire wall in front of the battery?
Use a brush or sanding paper to clean the rectangle peace under cylinder 1 just behind the suction pipes of the pump.

[Brian]

After 1957, the Major was fitted with the breather, the earlier versions did not have it. The idea is to get a flow of air through the engine taking the fumes into the air cleaner.

As the engine wore, the flow tended to reverse and oil and fumes came out and dribbled down the front of the engine.

Also the metal oil slinger that was fitted to the auxillary drive shaft gear tended to fail and clatter around in there. Some people removed it and did not replace it allowing oil to be thrown up into the breather as well.

These could be some of the reasons why it was plugged. If you have a worn engine, it should be OK. But if the engine is in good condition, there is no other way for clean air to enter the crank case and dilute the fumes, allowing them to be recycled through the engine again, then I would fit one.



Your engine/serial number will be behind the starter or on the plate in the front of the firewall. If it is not there, as Henk says, you could have had a transplant.

[kadkins]

Thanks Brian and Henk,
Yes there is a serial Number on the firewall ( 1443401 ) and the throttle linkage goes in front of the block. There is also a casting number of P8A.
There is no oil coming out of the timing gear cover where their should be a breather. Maybe when I warm her up a bit she might breath heavy. So far so good with preliminary work.

Thanks again
Keith

[henk]

1443401 would be August 57.
P8A would be 8 December 57.
From April 57 on starting with number 1425097 the Mark II engine was used with the throttle linkage in front of the block. Don’t know the engine number from when they start using the breather.

[Brian]

Breather was fitted on all Mk2 engines. Mk 2 started at 1425097

Your number only on the plate might mean she has had a transplant. Nothing on the flange behind the starter?



Henk,

Thanks to on-line translations, I have pictures of Dies and Addy's giant tomato and their new grandchild.

[henk]

Brian,

With on line translation you could end up with a grand tomato and a giantchild.
I knew about the grandchild but not the tomato.

[Brian]

Here is the GRAND TOMATO!!!! I know its not about tractors but I am second in command here!

[Nick]

jesus brian thats a big tomato!

[Frans]

I m not good with colors is it Orange ore ........

[Brian]

At least it is not a grill Franz!

[YorkshireDextaMan]

Sorry Brian, The scales are in Metric.

[essex pete]

At least it is not a grill Franz!

But it would be nice under one.