981 diesel

[desertguy]

hello, new to this board. I am trying to start a 1959 ford SOS diesel that's been sitting for mayn years. It was running when it was parked. I changed the fuel and checked the injector pump, it's working. I read in earlier posts that the timing should be at 23 BTC and the change could be done thru a timing cover after the motor was on #1 TDC. I can't locate a timing cover to do this. were they talking about the main timing gear cover? Any help would be appreciated, thanks
 

[souNdguy]

ran when parked?.. then why would injector timing be off?
 

[desertguy]

The info I read stated the original timing from the factory had been set to 18 degrees BTC however it should actually be 23 degrees BTC. I just wanted to check this as part of my initial tuneup
 

[b.jones]

I own a 1959 971-D so I am at least familiar with the tractor.
The timing mark they are talking about is under a small cover on
the front of the injection pump. I think it is held on with 2 small
screws and a gasket. Of course the other timing mark is on the
flywheel I think under a small cover. I would have to look it up
but at a certain serial number break they changed the timing
from 18 to 23 BTDC. I think if you had your pump updated all
were to be at the 23 number. I got my tractor from my dad when
he died in 1998. I think it was set on maybe the 18, pretty hard
to start if if was below 70 degrees. When I went to the 23 mark
it now starts easy at 50. If I have a good battery and use the
built in manifold heaters if will start ok down to say 32. If it is
below that I try to heat the motor before I try. I remember 40
years ago my dad had the pump rebuilt, so I went with the 23
degrees and I consider for its age to be a fairly good starting
tractor. If the battery is weak and it turns over slow then it does
not start well. I put a big battery charger on it if the battery is
low and that makes a big difference.
 

[souNdguy]

my copy of the old service spec catalog just lists the 18 btdc.. but I don't have a prior diesel.. so havn't been looking for updated info either.

someone like awhtx may have more info for you
 

[awhtx]

Yes, somewhere along the way Ford changed the timing spec to 23*. Set the flywheel timing mark to 23* and then align the 2 hash marks in the window on the pump.
 

[desertguy]