Fordson Major Diesel

[Gerald B.]

New guy here from Creston B.C.
I just got a 1962 Fordson Major Diesel tractor and have removed the lift pump to replace. This one has a gasket then a plate then another gasket then lift pump. The manual does not show a plate. Is this something someone has added and why? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Gerald B.]

Got things cleaned up and the plate is definitely home made. Ideas as to why it is there?

 

[SkipperII]

Got things cleaned up and the plate is definitely home made. Ideas as to why it is there?

Possibly didn't have the correct pump available, and adapted to use a similar pump, with a longer arm??

 

[Gerald B.]

Got the new lift pump and the arm length is the same. Thing is with old stuff it is hard to tell what has been done with them in the past.
I am going out to the shop and install the pump without the plate. I measured the plate and it is approx. 1/16 inch thick.

 

[Gerald B.]

Next I went to the injection pump. Engine surges at low to mid throttle and smells of raw fuel that burns the eyes. Excess fuel button would not stay in, took off the side plate and found a 3/8 inch nut laying in there holding the rack. ?? Took it out and the button will stay in like it should and the engine starts a lot easier. Why the nut, who knows. Tomorrow I will fire it up and see if it still surges. I may just take the pump off and take to an injection shop and have it gone through.

 

[Gerald B.]

Found out why the plate behind the lift pump. Installed gasket and lift pump. Got the engine running and had an oil leak at lift pump. Found opening in the block larger than the lift pump. Made a larger gasket and reinstalled the pump. Ran engine, still had oil leak. Removed lift pump and put the gasket on, then the plate, them gasket and pump. No more leak. The plate had to hold the bottom of the gasket. As seen in the photo there is a gap under the gasket. Now I know why the plate was there, but what is different as to why the larger opening?

 

[SkipperII]

Found out why the plate behind the lift pump. Installed gasket and lift pump. Got the engine running and had an oil leak at lift pump. Found opening in the block larger than the lift pump. Made a larger gasket and reinstalled the pump. Ran engine, still had oil leak. Removed lift pump and put the gasket on, then the plate, them gasket and pump. No more leak. The plate had to hold the bottom of the gasket. As seen in the photo there is a gap under the gasket. Now I know why the plate was there, but what is different as to why the larger opening?

Well, looking at that gasket, and then at the block mating surface, someone put the wrong pump on it, and made a field expedient adapter. In turn, you were given the wrong pump, possibly matched it to your sample??.

 

[Gerald B.]

Thanks for your reply. It sure is a bit of a mystery. I ordered the lift pump to my tractor and engine serial numbers and got the same lift pump. Oh well, it is on and works.

 

[Emiel]

From a certain moment on, fuel lift pump design changed on these tractors. Old model is with glass bowl, new model is quite different. You might need another style lift pump for this engine.

 

[Gerald B.]

From a certain moment on, fuel lift pump design changed on these tractors. Old model is with glass bowl, new model is quite different. You might need another style lift pump for this engine.

Thanks for the reply. These old tractors are a learning experience.