Hi I have owned a Dexta 1960 for abt 15yrs recently 9Mths ago bought a Super Dexta 1964 with the Idea of restoring them needed one to be in working order for use on small holding.
Last week I had a problem with the starting of the Super Dexta I was not registered with the Fordson Tractor Pages at that time but through contacting Brian Dye he with his Knowledge helped me out and resolved the problem.
Because of the problem with the Super Dexta I have gained a little bit of infomation, one piece being the use of Cold Start not being the thing to do.
Because of my ignorance & being told by the previous owner of my 1960 Dexta that it just needed a little sniff to start it, I have been doing that since I bought it.
My question, is it to late to get it back to starting via the Glow Plug, any advice would be very much appreciated.
Regards
Pughy
Dexta & Super Dexta
Re: Dexta & Super Dexta
Glad you got here at last! 
Dextas and Super Dextas need the cold start heater and pump to get going when cold. This is because they are an indirect injection engine. The heater and fuel in the inlet manifold sets a flame in there which is drawn into the cylinders as the engine turns, helping her to fire up.
Heat for 40 seconds, press the plunger on the fuel tap for a couple of times and off you go.
USING STARTING FLUID WILL CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE TO YOUR ENGINE. This has been proven time and time again. It breaks rings and pistons on Dextas. It is OK in small amounts but when you have the can in your hand and you're operating the plunger, how do you judge a small amount? Perhaps she does not strike up straight away and so you give it a bit more until she does fire with a knocking and clunking deep inside.
If you operate the heater and use starting fluid there is a good chance that you will meet Henry Ford face to face in Fordson Heaven and then you will be able to discuss the reasons for not using starting fluid with him!
It is well worth getting your heater/cold start sorted out. It certainly extends engine life.
Dextas and Super Dextas need the cold start heater and pump to get going when cold. This is because they are an indirect injection engine. The heater and fuel in the inlet manifold sets a flame in there which is drawn into the cylinders as the engine turns, helping her to fire up.
Heat for 40 seconds, press the plunger on the fuel tap for a couple of times and off you go.
USING STARTING FLUID WILL CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE TO YOUR ENGINE. This has been proven time and time again. It breaks rings and pistons on Dextas. It is OK in small amounts but when you have the can in your hand and you're operating the plunger, how do you judge a small amount? Perhaps she does not strike up straight away and so you give it a bit more until she does fire with a knocking and clunking deep inside.
If you operate the heater and use starting fluid there is a good chance that you will meet Henry Ford face to face in Fordson Heaven and then you will be able to discuss the reasons for not using starting fluid with him!
It is well worth getting your heater/cold start sorted out. It certainly extends engine life.
Fordson Tractor Pages, now officially linked to: Fordson Tractor Club of Australia, Ford and Fordson Association and Blue Force.
Brian
Brian
Re: Dexta & Super Dexta
When I got my dexta a few months ago it was a pig to start.
It was turning over slowly due to bad battery leads. The inlet manifold heater did not work due to wiring and switch issues.
Now that I have solved these it now starts much better but the squirter nozzle does not squirt well so is my next job to solve.
Rob
It was turning over slowly due to bad battery leads. The inlet manifold heater did not work due to wiring and switch issues.
Now that I have solved these it now starts much better but the squirter nozzle does not squirt well so is my next job to solve.
Rob
Re: Dexta & Super Dexta
Pughy Again
HI I have removed the Heater Plug from the Inlet Manifold I checked it by deptessing the button but did not get hot.Could be the Wiring.
Question can I check it by putting a couple of wires from a 12volt battery, if so what sort of temperature should the element reach.
I have also sorted out the Plunger on the fuel Tap just needed a bit of WD40
Regards
Pughy
HI I have removed the Heater Plug from the Inlet Manifold I checked it by deptessing the button but did not get hot.Could be the Wiring.
Question can I check it by putting a couple of wires from a 12volt battery, if so what sort of temperature should the element reach.
I have also sorted out the Plunger on the fuel Tap just needed a bit of WD40
Regards
Pughy
Re: Dexta & Super Dexta
Yes you can but be careful, the coil will glow red hot!
Fordson Tractor Pages, now officially linked to: Fordson Tractor Club of Australia, Ford and Fordson Association and Blue Force.
Brian
Brian
Re: Dexta & Super Dexta
Mine did not work because of bad wiring and the switch.
I tested mine across a battery. It smoked a lot, glowed red, caught light and then continued to glow an orange / red hot.
It is still not setting light to the fuel in the manifold very well as the suirter nozzle is only trickling fuel into the manifold until it puddles around the heater.
I can hear it go with a muffled 'whoomph' when it does set light to the fuel.
Rob
I tested mine across a battery. It smoked a lot, glowed red, caught light and then continued to glow an orange / red hot.
It is still not setting light to the fuel in the manifold very well as the suirter nozzle is only trickling fuel into the manifold until it puddles around the heater.
I can hear it go with a muffled 'whoomph' when it does set light to the fuel.
Rob
Re: Dexta & Super Dexta
I hate Easy Start with a passion!
I am currently re-building a BSD444 engine (as was fitted to the 6610) from a Sanderson Teleporter 2 and this has been exposed to a regular 'sniff' as the operators were unable to work out how the thermostart cold start system should be used.
The result is rings in tiny pieces, piston lands mashed and buggered bores, I will post a pic of one of the pistons when I get a chance, its not pretty!
I am currently re-building a BSD444 engine (as was fitted to the 6610) from a Sanderson Teleporter 2 and this has been exposed to a regular 'sniff' as the operators were unable to work out how the thermostart cold start system should be used.
The result is rings in tiny pieces, piston lands mashed and buggered bores, I will post a pic of one of the pistons when I get a chance, its not pretty!
Mark Russell - 1959 Standard Dexta - Work In Progress!
Re: Dexta & Super Dexta
HI Got the glow Plug on my 1960 Dexta working, following instructions 40secs depressing glow plug couple of squirts on nozzle turned engine over & away she went first time in 15yrs what a waste of ether.
Now that I have got both Tractors starting O/K I have decided to make a start at restoring the SUPER DEXTA first now it needs a new Exhaust Manifold plus new Exhaust & probably quite a lot more.
Question what are the things that I should be changing at this stage Filters etc, a list would be handy then I can order the bits all together,plus a reminder of the Colours of Paint required for a Super Dexta 1964.
Regards Pughy
Now that I have got both Tractors starting O/K I have decided to make a start at restoring the SUPER DEXTA first now it needs a new Exhaust Manifold plus new Exhaust & probably quite a lot more.
Question what are the things that I should be changing at this stage Filters etc, a list would be handy then I can order the bits all together,plus a reminder of the Colours of Paint required for a Super Dexta 1964.
Regards Pughy
Re: Dexta & Super Dexta
I am not restoring mine but just getting it up to a state where it is a 'happy' tractor and damage is fixed or the state of wear noted. To restore it would start to cost me a load of money.Pughy wrote:HI Got the glow Plug on my 1960 Dexta working, following instructions 40secs depressing glow plug couple of squirts on nozzle turned engine over & away she went first time in 15yrs what a waste of ether.
Now that I have got both Tractors starting O/K I have decided to make a start at restoring the SUPER DEXTA first now it needs a new Exhaust Manifold plus new Exhaust & probably quite a lot more.
Question what are the things that I should be changing at this stage Filters etc, a list would be handy then I can order the bits all together,plus a reminder of the Colours of Paint required for a Super Dexta 1964.
Regards Pughy
I have taken the engine sump off (requiring a new gasket. I made mine) and cleaned out the strainer and mopped around inside to get out the sludge and rubbish that sits at the bottom. I got a new oil filter for this with its top seal and small seal on the bottom of the housing.
I have also fixed the hydraulics and cleaned out the back end and replaced the hydraulic return filter.
I have washed the air filter out in petrol and then gave it a few days 'cooking' in a hot garden shed so that the fuel on the gauze evaporated. Once refitted I ran it with the rubber hose loose so if the engine did start to run on vapours I could whip the hose out and disconnect the air filter.
I have the diesel filter to change but am going to start at the tank first by draining it out and seeing if it is clean inside or not. I will check the tap filter and then work downstream.
I have tried to drain the injector pump govenor of oil that there wasn't and then filled it with cheapo oil and let that splash around for a while and then drained it and put fresh oil in. That has a couple of small copper washers.
I have yet to empty the gearbox and change the oil in that.
It does have oil leaks so if I were to restore it completely I would change the oil seals and probably the clutch at the same time as mine is worn.
It depends on how much of a restoration you want to do or how much money you want to throw at it.
The most expensive thing I have bought for mine so far is £150 for oil.
Rob
Re: Dexta & Super Dexta
Hi
When i tried starting my Dexta a couple of days later I really struggled to get it going I did eventually .
On checking the the nozzle which squirts into the air manifold I found it is more of a dribble of diesel than a spray, Am I right in thinking that it should be a spray/mist of diesel?
If so is it the nozzle which is partially blocked if so what is the best way of unblocking it?
Pughy
When i tried starting my Dexta a couple of days later I really struggled to get it going I did eventually .
On checking the the nozzle which squirts into the air manifold I found it is more of a dribble of diesel than a spray, Am I right in thinking that it should be a spray/mist of diesel?
If so is it the nozzle which is partially blocked if so what is the best way of unblocking it?
Pughy
Re: Dexta & Super Dexta
Mine squirts a thin stream of diesel, not a spray. If you give the 'pump' a good push, it is strong enough to hit the heater coil.
Don't know if it managed a spray when it was new or not...I was too young a chap to play with the tractor then
There is small check ball and spring in the inlet side of nozzle...make sure that is free.
I would spray a bit of penetrating oil in it, let it soak a day or so, and then flush it out with some carb spray. Penetrant should help with any rust, carb spray with fuel residue.
Don't know if it managed a spray when it was new or not...I was too young a chap to play with the tractor then
There is small check ball and spring in the inlet side of nozzle...make sure that is free.
I would spray a bit of penetrating oil in it, let it soak a day or so, and then flush it out with some carb spray. Penetrant should help with any rust, carb spray with fuel residue.
Jack