Ford 3400 diesel queation

BigDanT · Feb 22, 2011

Hello All...New to this forum and new to working on old tractors. Here's by problem, I just had my 3400 diesel engine rebuilt got it put back together and running sunday night but I have a few issues. Went out monday morning ( 45 to 50 degrees in the shop) and tried to start it and it seemed like it had to crank and awfully long time to fire up, maybe 30 plus seconds or so, I would have thought that a brand new engine should start right away. Secondly, after it did start it smoked a bunch and continued to smoke for maybe 8 to 10 minutes before it cleared up. I realize that a rebuilt engine will have to burn off excess oil from the rebuild but I had run it for 20 minutes the night before. I checked for loose injector lines, rechecked the valve tappets adjustmens and checked for leaks around injector pump. Also so you know the pump was rebuild by FSI out of Ohio and I a bouhgt new after market injectors. Could the new injectors be out of adjustment adding too much fuel on startup? Is there a way to check if the fuel line pressure is leaking off overnight? Could I have the timing off a bit... went by the IT shop manuel on how to time it seemed pretty simple. Any ideas or suggestions on what if anything I should try next?

whodat526 · Feb 22, 2011

the rings probably aren't seated yet u need to run the tractor under a good load

BigDanT · Feb 23, 2011

I have heard that and understand the therory but was wondering does a new factory engine have to be run under aload before it's rings are seated? Do I have to worry about the "breaking in period" before I put it under a heavy load. A little different subject but anyone know the proper size battery fro this engine and what size cables? ....Thanks

Soundguy · Feb 23, 2011

i agree with wd... the rings hav enot seated and comp was a lil low. run it thru a range of laods and rpms.

if it has the long tray it likely takes the 4dlt battery.. and as for cables.. the bigger the better.. 1/0 like a 6v cable would not be out of line. I also like running the bat ground right to a starter hold down bolt.. clean the connection of paint and grease it and tighten it down..

doe thast machine have any sort of thermal start aid? if so..is it working?

soundguy

BigDanT · Feb 23, 2011

Soundguy... it does, I put a block heater in before I reinstalled the engine the manifold does have a port for the cold start system but I am missing all the goodies that go with it, the return line goes straight to the tank. Think I should invest in the manifold heater system as well? I did plug the heater in this morning due to outside air temp being near 30. Left it on for about 1.5 hours and the engine started alot easier. Not as much smoke but still quite a bit. Going to look into a bigger battery too I think this may be cranking a liitle too slow. One other thing, you mentioned putting the neg to a hold down bolt, this starter has a post coming out the end, do you not like putting the neg cable to this? Thanks for the help.

Soundguy · Feb 23, 2011

wherever you can ground to on the starter is good. that and heavy cables and a good bat.

diesels and weak bats and wimpy cables make for hard starts.. hard starts washt he cyls down with fuel and that leads to wear and reduced compression over time.

if she's a lil cold natured, then I believe I might throw in a lower hose heater.. or if you can find the goodies you ar emissing.. go for it.. can't hurt.

I suspect when you repalce the battery and check cables, and the rings seat after a few hours of running that she will start better.

soundguy

BigDanT · Feb 23, 2011

Soundguy.. Ok ordered the 4dlt battery from local parts store, that is a big SOB, they had cables in stock. I appreciate all the help and advice I'm feeling alot better about this rebuild.
Thanks