Ford 3000 project - getting it started

hi all,

I have an Old Ford 3000 that I’ve always been meaning to fix up. I remember it running around 10 years ago but probably hasn’t been started since. It was left outside for 7 years and is in a shed for the last 3.

I’ve watched some of the YouTube videos on restoring them but I’d be fairly useless mechanically. Id just love to get the tractor started and running, not even moving but just to get the engine going firstly.

I know I’ve to turn the engine first to see if it’s seized, I’ve put a small wrench on the nut at the front and tried to pull clockwise, should it be fairly free? Do I’ve to take the pulley off it first? I didn’t use too much force but it didn’t turn.

I must get a battery, drain and replace fuel, add oil, fill radiator and add oil to the air filter before starting. Anything else I must do (assuming it’s not seized) ? Any and all help is greatly appreciated!!
IMG_2287.jpeg
 
hi all,

I have an Old Ford 3000 that I’ve always been meaning to fix up. I remember it running around 10 years ago but probably hasn’t been started since. It was left outside for 7 years and is in a shed for the last 3.

I’ve watched some of the YouTube videos on restoring them but I’d be fairly useless mechanically. Id just love to get the tractor started and running, not even moving but just to get the engine going firstly.

I know I’ve to turn the engine first to see if it’s seized, I’ve put a small wrench on the nut at the front and tried to pull clockwise, should it be fairly free? Do I’ve to take the pulley off it first? I didn’t use too much force but it didn’t turn.

I must get a battery, drain and replace fuel, add oil, fill radiator and add oil to the air filter before starting. Anything else I must do (assuming it’s not seized) ? Any and all help is greatly appreciated!!View attachment 98712
Gas or Diesel
 
hi all,

I have an Old Ford 3000 that I’ve always been meaning to fix up. I remember it running around 10 years ago but probably hasn’t been started since. It was left outside for 7 years and is in a shed for the last 3.

I’ve watched some of the YouTube videos on restoring them but I’d be fairly useless mechanically. Id just love to get the tractor started and running, not even moving but just to get the engine going firstly.

I know I’ve to turn the engine first to see if it’s seized, I’ve put a small wrench on the nut at the front and tried to pull clockwise, should it be fairly free? Do I’ve to take the pulley off it first? I didn’t use too much force but it didn’t turn.

I must get a battery, drain and replace fuel, add oil, fill radiator and add oil to the air filter before starting. Anything else I must do (assuming it’s not seized) ? Any and all help is greatly appreciated!!View attachment 98712
Depending upon what transmission option it has, IF straight gear drive shift it into the highest gear and VIGOROUSLY rock it back and forth and note if the fan blades move or even wiggle.

Helps to have a couple of burly friends!
 
Depending upon what transmission option it has, IF straight gear drive shift it into the highest gear and VIGOROUSLY rock it back and forth and note if the fan blades move or even wiggle.

Helps to have a couple of burly friends!
Hmm I’m not sure which transmission it has to be honest. Also the tyres are flat and won’t take air so rocking would be hard.
 
I'm going to suggest that you get an owners manual, repair manual, and a parts manual, that way when the folks on these sites offer help, you can look to see exactly is being referred to, and you can also refer to them on your own, as you learn.
 
Hey Ford3000... Where are you located? I'd think there might be someone on here that is close to you, that would love to come over and get you started. Just thinking having a set of experienced eyes look over your 3000 might help determine the best next steps.

Good luck!
 
Hey Ford3000... Where are you located? I'd think there might be someone on here that is close to you, that would love to come over and get you started. Just thinking having a set of experienced eyes look over your 3000 might help determine the best next steps.

Good luck!
Hey Steve that would be great but I’m in Cork, Ireland.
Is this an American sub? Maybe if someone is visiting on holidays !
 
As I see it, your choices are few. If I were faced with this, (and doing it on a budget) I would try airing up the tires and tow starting it. If the tires won't hold air, then it's got to have the starter working. Beg, borrow, steal, (or buy) a known GOOD battery and start there.

Check (and add if needed) engine oil. Hopefully it isn't way over full indicating problems with fuel or water in the mix. I wouldn't worry about hydraulic fluid or engine coolant just yet. Same with fuel and/or filters. You can deal with that AFTER you see and hear it run. I recently started two 50 series John Deeres that had been parked for nine years, and both started right up (with new batteries) on the old fuel and filters.

I would bleed the fuel filter(s) first, then bleed to the injection pump. After that the engine must be turning over to go any further. I wouldn't fool with the filters yet, because even if you know what you're doing, you will no doubt make getting it running even harder than if you leave them alone. I would try towing it first rather than buying a battery, but there is always a chance the clutch will be stuck.
 
As I see it, your choices are few. If I were faced with this, (and doing it on a budget) I would try airing up the tires and tow starting it. If the tires won't hold air, then it's got to have the starter working. Beg, borrow, steal, (or buy) a known GOOD battery and start there.

Check (and add if needed) engine oil. Hopefully it isn't way over full indicating problems with fuel or water in the mix. I wouldn't worry about hydraulic fluid or engine coolant just yet. Same with fuel and/or filters. You can deal with that AFTER you see and hear it run. I recently started two 50 series John Deeres that had been parked for nine years, and both started right up (with new batteries) on the old fuel and filters.

I would bleed the fuel filter(s) first, then bleed to the injection pump. After that the engine must be turning over to go any further. I wouldn't fool with the filters yet, because even if you know what you're doing, you will no doubt make getting it running even harder than if you leave them alone. I would try towing it first rather than buying a battery, but there is always a chance the clutch will be stuck.
Thanks for the info harry, I think I will buy a battery tomorrrow. The fuel is a good few years old, would this be ok to just start it and see it run?

There actually is a problem with the clutch, which is the reason why the tractor was never really used. I’m not sure is it just stuck or if there’s something worse wrong with it (my grandfather bought me the tractor when I was an infant and he planned it to be a project tractor for when I grew up and had time to go at it)
 
Hey Steve that would be great but I’m in Cork, Ireland.
Is this an American sub? Maybe if someone is visiting on holidays !
Cork? Just south of Limerick! There once was a man from Cork... (sorry, I couldn't help myself). So you do have a big project! A few suggestions...

1. Start a new posting/thread down on the Ford board. There are a lot of experts there.
2. Pictures. A lot. People see things that you might not.
3. Serial number... Find that. Usually in flat spot, above and behind starter. Might also be a foil tag inside hood door.
4. Clutch... Don't worry about it yet. My experience with Ford clutches is that they freeze, but can be unfrozen with the right methods. But let's just save that for later, when it's running.
5. You do really need to find a way to get the tires up... Even if they leak down slowly. I find jacking up a tire , and wrapping/tightening a ratchet strap right around the middle of the tread (circumference), will help get the bead seated, so it will hold air.

Good luck!
 
Welcome to The YT forums and PartsASAP.
The first thing is to check if there is coolant or water in the oil. loosen the drain plug until it is just barely hanging on the last thread. see if coolant/water comes out first. it is heavier than oil and will be on the bottom. If oil is the first out the loose plug, Turning it with a wrench is OK, but the engine turns counter clockwise (looking from the front) That wrench will not provide enough leverage to do much with a engine that has years of sitting in one position. A good battery (or one from a running vehicle) will provide much greater turning power. Jim
 
Welcome to The YT forums and PartsASAP.
The first thing is to check if there is coolant or water in the oil. loosen the drain plug until it is just barely hanging on the last thread. see if coolant/water comes out first. it is heavier than oil and will be on the bottom. If oil is the first out the loose plug, Turning it with a wrench is OK, but the engine turns counter clockwise (looking from the front) That wrench will not provide enough leverage to do much with a engine that has years of sitting in one position. A good battery (or one from a running vehicle) will provide much greater turning power. Jim
Ok thanks Jim. I actually drained the oil when housing the tractor about 2-3 years ago… not sure why I did that I think I was planning on refilling and trying to start but didn’t.

Do you reckon I should just hook the battery up and try start (when I’ve the oil put back of course)
 
Cork? Just south of Limerick! There once was a man from Cork... (sorry, I couldn't help myself). So you do have a big project! A few suggestions...

1. Start a new posting/thread down on the Ford board. There are a lot of experts there.
2. Pictures. A lot. People see things that you might not.
3. Serial number... Find that. Usually in flat spot, above and behind starter. Might also be a foil tag inside hood door.
4. Clutch... Don't worry about it yet. My experience with Ford clutches is that they freeze, but can be unfrozen with the right methods. But let's just save that for later, when it's running.
5. You do really need to find a way to get the tires up... Even if they leak down slowly. I find jacking up a tire , and wrapping/tightening a ratchet strap right around the middle of the tread (circumference), will help get the bead seated, so it will hold air.

Good luck!
Cork? Just south of Limerick! There once was a man from Cork... (sorry, I couldn't help myself). So you do have a big project! A few suggestions...

1. Start a new posting/thread down on the Ford board. There are a lot of experts there.
2. Pictures. A lot. People see things that you might not.
3. Serial number... Find that. Usually in flat spot, above and behind starter. Might also be a foil tag inside hood door.
4. Clutch... Don't worry about it yet. My experience with Ford clutches is that they freeze, but can be unfrozen with the right methods. But let's just save that for later, when it's running.
5. You do really need to find a way to get the tires up... Even if they leak down slowly. I find jacking up a tire , and wrapping/tightening a ratchet strap right around the middle of the tread (circumference), will help get the bead seated, so it will hold air.

Good luck!
Yes just south of limerick ! Tho I don’t think I get your joke reference there 😂😂
Yeah to be honest, calving season starts in a few weeks and then I’m off to New Zealand for a year in the summer so if I ccould even just get it started that would be great. Yeah I probably can get air into the tyres, there’s some of them definitely holding air but some are rotten/ leaking.

Yes the serial number is in the hood door, I can take a picture in the morning. And thanks for the suggestion about posting on the ford board.
 
You won't hurt anything by trying. Yes, the fuel is old, but that's not necessarily a deal breaker. With a new battery and a (hopefully) good starter, you should start seeing some smoke out the stack in a few revolutions. If not, and it seems to crank and crank with no results, then start examining the fuel system.
 
Welcome to The YT forums and PartsASAP.
The first thing is to check if there is coolant or water in the oil. loosen the drain plug until it is just barely hanging on the last thread. see if coolant/water comes out first. it is heavier than oil and will be on the bottom. If oil is the first out the loose plug, Turning it with a wrench is OK, but the engine turns counter clockwise (looking from the front) That wrench will not provide enough leverage to do much with a engine that has years of sitting in one position. A good battery (or one from a running vehicle) will provide much greater turning power. Jim
Do Ford tractor engines turn backward from others? All of mine turn counter clockwise when viewed from the flywhel end. When viewed from the fan end they turn clockwise. I remember crank starting a farmall B and that cranked clockwise
 

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