Cold starting a to 35 w/ Standard diesel

[Cougsfan]

When the block heater touches the interior metal of the water jacket, there is no coolant at the contact point and the element overheats and burns out.

I think that is exactly what happened. The element was already about as short in length as one would imagine they could make it and there was still no orientation that prevents it from touching the sleeve liner. I will, have to try something different. However, for whatever reason the tractor has been starting fine without a heater these days, even on cold mornings

 

[RjCorazza]

I think that is exactly what happened. The element was already about as short in length as one would imagine they could make it and there was still no orientation that prevents it from touching the sleeve liner. I will, have to try something different. However, for whatever reason the tractor has been starting fine without a heater these days, even on cold mornings

They also make zero clearance block heaters. My block heater consists of a sleeve that presses into the freeze port, and the element threads into the sleeve. The element doesn't extend into the block.

 

[WilliamBos]

My TO-35 23c Standard diesel starts extremely easy after the engine is warmed up, but fairly hard when engine is cold, and nearly impossible when it is below freezing out. I have used a space heater and blanket in cold weather in the past, but that is a pain and only semi effective. I have been thinking about installing a block heater to make cold starting easier. There are lots of options and I am unsure of which to use. There are magnetic heaters that just attach to the block, there are inexpensive heating pads that can be put on the oil pan, engine block and/or battery. There are radiator hose in-line heaters at a rough glance seem to be the best bet. There are freeze plug heaters that seem that they might be "iffy" to install. All of these come in various wattages. I am not sure if heating the engine iron, oil, the water, the battery, or the fuel is most effective. I would guess heating the water is most effective. Any experience based advice would be appreciated.

We had a block heater in Dad's MF35. We also sat an insulaated blanket over the hood, to help keep the heat in. Started every time.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

My TO-35 23c Standard diesel starts extremely easy after the engine is warmed up, but fairly hard when engine is cold, and nearly impossible when it is below freezing out. I have used a space heater and blanket in cold weather in the past, but that is a pain and only semi effective. I have been thinking about installing a block heater to make cold starting easier. There are lots of options and I am unsure of which to use. There are magnetic heaters that just attach to the block, there are inexpensive heating pads that can be put on the oil pan, engine block and/or battery. There are radiator hose in-line heaters at a rough glance seem to be the best bet. There are freeze plug heaters that seem that they might be "iffy" to install. All of these come in various wattages. I am not sure if heating the engine iron, oil, the water, the battery, or the fuel is most effective. I would guess heating the water is most effective. Any experience based advice would be appreciated.

That thing should have had a block heater 50 years ago. You dragging. I had block heaters in every available hole, lower radiator hose heater, magnet heater on oil pan. Put a u haul blanket over the hood, plugged all that in for 30.375 minutes, I was cranking a hot engine that always busted right off. I hate starting a cold diesel because it is so hard on the engine, and I want my things to last. And yes, I have had an English Standard Diesel.

 

[big bubba]

agree, i should have done the same for my TO 35 Standard for the 28 yrs of owning. great tractor though once in motion. good luck to OP to solve that problem. The TO 35 did originally have a factory option of manifold fuel pre heater, you can see the inlet plug on the intake...never seen one... regards,