Finally bought my first ever tractor! International 674! Help a rookie fix it!

[alexpops]

Not sure of your level of mechanical experience, or DIY abilities so don't be offended if this sounds like I'm talking down. I'm not, just trying to cover all bases on the spectrum.

Don't know that particular motor, but the way I would approach it (cheap to more expensive) ... Change all fluids unless you KNOW it was recently done. Drain the oil, send off a sample for testing (you know there's diesel, but metals is what you want to know) see how much oil comes out vs spec. (like louNY said) New filter & oil to specs, start her up & run her a bit to warm things up ... are you getting smoke/puffing/oil out of the dipstick tube or oil fill (yes? ... rings; no ... next). If no heavy blowby, run her for a while to warm her up & give a light load on the engine by moving her around (don't just idle). How does the exhaust look? Black?Blue?White?Normal? & see if oil level is increasing ... if yes, pull the injectors & inspect/have them tested/rebuilt as necessary. (rePete) If the injectors are good, then pull the pump & have someone who knows what they are doing rebuild as necessary (Harry in KY). If you do wind up pulling the pump, make sure you re-align the timing marks when putting it back together (manual should give you the info). If you're unsure of any step, find a good diesel shop that knows these engines & let them do the first repair. work your way up by doing all the regular maintenance stuff (hoses/coolant/filters/line replacement/oil changes/etc.) Have fun.

 

[LouNY]

Check your glowplug or thermostart...same thing.

No not the same.
Many of those engines had neither.
The Thermostart was popular on the European models not the US ones.
Thermostart used a small electrical igniter to start a fuel burn in the intake manifold.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

Alexpops gave you a great flowchart on diagnostics--cheapest first...working toward the more expensive. In the meantime, read, read, and read some more. Lest I forget, have fun with your project!

 

[Tinhack]

The Thermostart was popular on the European models not the US ones.

Oh contrare. My USA built 1986 Ford 3910 has thermostart. You are correct that it is in the intake air plenum, but it doesn't burn anything--It just heats the air.

 

[LouNY]

I'm going to be disagreeing with you on this issue.

IH 674 European version with thermostart;
the little reservoir is for fuel (filled by the excess return line) and #2 is the igniter.

The US version had an ether injector system.
I have been trying to find the reservoir and the lines to add to my system on my 574.

 

[Tinhack]

Ops, you're partially right. Mine does have a line that tees off the injector leak-off line (the line that runs back to the tank). I forgot about that. I replaced the heater plug when I was restoring my tractor and forgot about that line. But it doesn't burn the diesel, it just heats it as it passes over the heater coil in the thermostart plug. The plug must be hot to open the fuel check valve. (Otherwise, it closes and stops diesel from entering the intake runner.) The hot diesel then passes through the intake manifold to which ever cylinder has the intake valve open.

I looked in my shop manual and there was an optional reservoir. Mine doesn't have it. I rarely use the preheat other than passing through it while cranking to start. Mine starts immediately and I turn the key back to the run position.

 

[RebelHomesteads]

Need Manuals? Best place to start.

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I bought the big manual package from them when I got the tractor. They’re nice

 

[RebelHomesteads]

Thanks for all the help. I’ll probably end up buying another pump entirely for it. After shipping and paying someone to rebuild it, it may be close to the coat of another one anyway. I’m going to change the oil first and see how long it takes for the oil to get really think and over full.

Thanks for all the help

 

[RebelHomesteads]

How much diesel in the oil?
Does it just smell of fuel or is the level high and the oil thin?
Have you considered draining the oil refilling and seeing how she does.

No sediment bowl with the diesel, but you will have dual filters inline, sometimes both on the same side of the engine,
some will have one on each side of engine.

Yes, you can have a loader and a ROPS at the same time.

That series of IH's are a nice compact nimble tractors, like most older utility's you do straddle the transmission which can build up considerable heat in hot weather and they can be a bit clumsy to get on or off of getting down into the seat.

Added;
that lip seal will be on the pump shaft and will not be visible until the pump is removed from the tractor,
which will require removing the access cover on the engine front cover and removing the pump drive gear.
Watch out for all the timing marks on all the gears. It will be easier with the tin work removed along with the radiator and water pump.
The pumpguy could advise you better.

Also these are not the best starting tractors in cold weather unless plugged in,
I've added a gear reduction starter to my 574 which helps.

The level is really high and it’s also really thin.

 

[repete]

Looks like you can now change your Bio as you ARE a tractor owner now.
Do not be surprised if you get your checkbook out a lot now as you discover stuff, but that will likely subside with time. Like others have said, get a good shop manual, it will likely save you much more than the cost of the manual.

Remember, maintenance is not a cost but an insurance against cost and that grease is cheaper then steel.