3600 stalling out

[BobH in WI]

I enjoy reading the posts on this board every day and am starting to gain a smidgen of knowledge about Ford tractors.
I have a 1978 340 industrial (which I believe has the 3 cyl 3600 gas engine).

This is my latest issue (now that the 3point hydraulic issues have all been sorted out).

The engine started stalling out yesterday afternoon while brushogging. (I quickly learned that I stalled right over an ant hill but thats another story)

Symptoms first occurred while acending a relatively steep incline. I was almost at the top of a several hundred yard run up,(thinking how great the tractor was handling the brushog) when the engine sputtered and died. At first I thought I was out of gas, so put more in, but that didn't help.

Symptoms are as follows;
- Engine starts only after alot of cranking and only runs very briefly at best. (even when its running it doesn't run good)
- The glass sediment bowl looked clean, but I pulled it anyways just to check for flow - and there was no gas flow. (yes, the petcock was/is open)

I thought that gas would run out without the glass sediment bowl. I cranked the engine over without the bowl and a lttle bit of gas ran out, so I put the bowl back on and it took a long time to fill, even when I was cranking. It still wont run.
I pulled the distributor cap and reattached the wires but still nothing. (Tractor was tuned up several months ago)

I'm thinking I have a clogged gas line (possibly before the sediment bowl).
Any thoughts on what I should check for would be appreciated.

 

[Fordfarmer]

I think you've hit it - clogged line before the sediment bowl.... although it's more likely the screen on the pickup where the line goes into the tank.

 

[Brian in MA]

Yes, I agree that's it. On two of my Fords (4600 & 5600) I have had crap fall into the outlet valve at the bottom of the tank and plug it. If you look with a flashlight into the fill opening, you should with some perseverence see the outlet valve at the bottom and see if it's clear and if the screen is still on it. Unfortunately, the best cure is to drain the tank and pull the shutoff right off the bottom of the tank and clean it out completely. On both of mine, the screen wasn't even attached anymore and I had to fish around the bottom of the tank for it with a wire to re-install it on the valve assembly, then put it all together. It's not a pleasant job, but I believe it will fix your problem.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I also think it sounds like a fuel issue.
There are 3 filters on those gassers. One at the fuel outlet on the bottom of the tank. One is the sediment bowl and one at the carb inlet fitting.
Make sure all three are clean.
There is also a remote chance that the fuel pump has gone bad.
Fuel pump is located behind the radiator on the top of the timing cover. You will need to pull the nose cone and radiator to get at it.
I would check the 3 filters first.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Beware of the idea of shining a flashlight into the gas tank. In the event that gas fumes get into the flashlight while you're looking in there, it only takes one microscopic spark at the switch contact, bulb base, etc. to ruin your whole day...or maybe even two!

 

[Brian in MA]

Good point, thanks, sorry I missed it. I'm much more accustomed to diesel these days, less likely "boom."

 

[BobH in WI]

Thanks for all the feedback. I found my repair manual last night and it also said that the petcock with the screen is removable, so I think I'll try removing that next weekend when I am up at my farm. I will need a catch basin for the gas however.

 

[Keith Williams]

Try adding more gas to the tank. You have to have enough to run up to the fuel pump. BTDT
Once you run out of gas you have to get enough in the tank to get it to gravity flow up to the fuel tank. I had to add almost 5 gal in order to get one restarted. one or 2 gal did what you are describing.
Keith

 

[BobH in WI]

I did only add about 2 gallons at the time with no luck, but as luck would have it my neighbor stopped by on his atv and we ended up towing the tractor back to the barn with my truck. We didn't try to start it again in the barn however as it was getting late. Before I do anything, I will see if it starts in the barn next weekend and post back.

 

[Fordfarmer]

When I did that job on a 3000 I had, I had a helper cover the hole with their thumb. Still need a catch basin, but very little got spilled that way.

 

[Keith Williams]

Should have said gravity flow up to the fuel pump.
When fuel is in the system it can suck that tank almost dry. Once the pump looses prime, it needs gravity to get started again.
Good luck!
Keith