The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

We have a 1964 new major. Water was leaking into the oil which seems to be a common problem and the major lay housed for about 3 years but was full working order when parked apart from the water leaking into the oil. We got a replacement block, and got new main bearing rebuild the major. The head was not touched.

When the major was rebuild she started very easily but was smoky as i would have expected after the long sit. After about two minutes the tractor died out. We have not been able to get her started since! When we try to start her the tractor is filling the pipe with white smoke.

Anyone got any ideas?
Thank you

Have you checked the timing? Did you replace the oil pump or piston rings/liners?

Liam,

As Nick say check if the pump is not 180 degrees out of line.

Thank you for the fast replies. We checked the timing after the re-build. We did not replace the oil pump, pistons or liners has this had been done on a previous rebuild and the tractor has not done much work since!

What do you mean check the pump is not 180 degrees out of line Henk?

Any other suggestions?

Liam,

If the fuel pump was removed and the engine or the fuel pump has been turned over, it is possible to set the pump 180 degrees wrong. The easiest way to check is to turn the pump 180 degrees and start again. When the engine fires up that was the problem.

Check to see if the control rod/rack in pump is free. With her sitting it may be stuck. Problem I had after getting my Power Major out of shed after sitting for years. Just move the fuel control lever by hand on fuel pump and you should be able to feel the rod and governor. That is if you have the same pump as my Power Major.
Good luck.

Also the stop unit can be in the wrong position. I had that once after I put the pump back on. It was a bit out of the home position and it would not start.

liam_kearney wrote:
When the major was rebuild she started very easily but was smoky as i would have expected after the long sit. After about two minutes the tractor died out. We have not been able to get her started since! When we try to start her the tractor is filling the pipe with white smoke.

Liam
It sounds like you have rebuilt the block part of the engine, and then just bolted everything else back on? correct?
It also sounds like you have had the engine running since the rebuild, although only for aprox 2 minutes? correct? If correct, I would be ruling out the pump timing being 180' out, although is worth checking that drive coupling is tight. If not, you will need to retime the injector pump.

I would be checking fuel or lack of. White smoke indicates air in fuel (according tp the workshop manual). 2 mins running is about right for fuel in the lines/pump.
Keep us posted.
Kiwi Kev

I agree with Kev. It's not getting enough fuel. Have you tried to bleed it?

I am going to stick my oar in and say white smoke is un-burnt fuel rather than lack of fuel. I would be looking at timing rather than fuel problems myself.

It is really easy to check if she is 180 degrees out by checking if the marks on the pump line up with the clamp bolt below the pump drive shaft. If it is, recheck your timing setting again. Then recheck tappets and make sure you have no bent pushrods.

Hi,
Yes Kev you are correct we rebuilt the block part of the engine, and then just bolted everything else back on. I will check if the pump is 180 degrees out this evening just incase. We have already checked and she seems to be getting plently of diesel. Also we were chatting to a mechanic who said that as the tractor started at all he cant see the timing being out! Is that correct?

We are going to try to start her with a tow this evening and see how that goes aswell. I will let you all know how am getting on!

The mechanic is right. I forgot that he has already turned for a minute or two.

If you tried to start her with Easystart she could start and run for a short period on that even if she was 180 degrees out. We have had the same thing in these posts about a year ago.

I have had a Model N start and run on Redex with no fuel tank or carburettor fitted. So it is possible.

Just to let you all know we got the problem sort! Shes started and going like a bomb!! Ended up that it was a bit of wear between the cupling and the pump that was causing the problem! Thank you for all your help and advise.

Glad you found it Liam.