MF 231 injection pump problem

[Roy G]

Working on a 231 for a friend. He bought tractor running but had a lot of blowby and hard to start. Took it apart, had broke rings and a blown head gasket probably from ether. Took pump off for engine rebuild and now that I have put back on, can get no fuel to injectors. Cleaned out tank and screen on cutoff valve,blew out all lines and a new fuel lift pump. Injector pump is full of fuel and I know I have it bled of all air but all I get is a dribble of fuel at injector lines. I also know I timed pump correctly when I put timing gears back on. Anybody got any ideas? I'm 60 years old and I've been working on these old tractors for years. I'm thinking something is wrong in the injection pump but was running when drove into my shop. Any comments appreciated. Thanks.Roy G
 

[DoubleR]

Did you take the plastic pet-cock on the bottom of the fuel tank apart and clean the crud out of it. I have to on my 231 every few years. It will start acting like its running out of fuel when working it hard. It will restrict the amount of fuel that is able to flow through. Just a suggestion.
 

[Dieseltech]

If pump has not been used recently metering valve and/or plungers may be stuck from setting while engine was being repaired. Just mailed one back that had the same trouble. How long has it been since the engine ran last?
 

[Mike tn]

Roy G - i'm no where near the mechanic you are but try taking off the output line on that new fuel lft pump and make sure it's pumping out enough fuel. I have had problems with new ones.
 

[Fergie Bach]

Once in a while the only way to generate enough "force" is to give the tractor a good hard pull up and down a road. Perhaps with one injector pipe slackened.
You seem to have covered everything really. Let us know what happens.
 

[Roy G]

Guys, thanks for all your answers. The pump has been sitting on a shelf for about a year now. I suspect as dieseltech said something has probably stuck in pump. With bleeder plug out of side of pump body, when you turn over engine shoots out plenty of fuel. I had thought of pulling it to try and start. When ground dries up a little here I will round me up a helper and give that a try. Thanks for all replies
 

[dgerth]

Just an idea, perhaps plugged return line. Had this happen before.
dg
 

[Dieseltech]

If pump has not been run that long I am sure plungers and metering valve are stuck, and pull starting most likely won't work. Have repaired too many pumps in this condition, best to do a complete teardown and reseal. Just mailed back a 135 pump that had the same trouble. Good luck!