Recent Purchase Ford 3550 - Lacks Power

[studebaker62]

I recently purchased a 1973 Ford 3550, 3 cylinder gas, with a front end loader. Overall, it's in pretty decent shape for it's age. I don't know it's history, but it looks like the original owner was a concrete contractor based on some decal remnants that are still on there so I'm sure it's seen some rough times over it's life.

The loader hydraulics seem strong. I haven't tried to lift much beyond a few scoops of manure, but as long as I'm in neutral and increase the RPMs, it seems like it will lift just about anything. Without increasing RPMs it struggles.

The major issue that I'm having is a lack of power to the rear end when on anything beyond flat ground and even then it is lacking but my space is fairly small so low speed is all I use. The transmission is a 4/4 power reverse. I believe it uses a hydraulic pump separate from the front end pump, but I'm not certain on this. Does anyone have a diagram of the shift pattern? Anything that may have been on the tractor is gone.

The engine runs ok, but it seems to be running lean. I've tried adjusting the carb screw in and out and everywhere in between without much success.

I have replaced the plugs, carburetor and changed the transmission fluid and filter. The rear end fluid looks clean. Are there any other hydraulic filters for the tractor beyond the one mounted behind the grill? I know there is a screen in the loader arm, but that shouldn't affect the tractors power.

Does anyone have suggestions on where to start to get some of the power back? It doesn't need to be 100%, but I have to be able to get up my barn bank. Once I'm passed the bank, it's fairly flat from there.

I don't have a service manual yet, but it's on my list of things to purchase.

Thanks in advance for any help someone can provide.

 

[studebaker62]

I'm trying this again.... Does anyone have any suggestions on getting this running a little better?

Since the first post, I have replaced the starter, starter solenoid, ignition coil, points, condenser, and rotor. I have also double checked the plug gap (.025) and set the points at the same. The plug wires are nearly new. I have also replaced the fuel lines and fuel pump. I've checked the timing and it appears to be at 18°. I'm not sure if this is correct or not. It sounds great under idle, but under load, it stutters. I can get get my hay bales moved, but it's a struggle and takes 10x longer than it should.

Thanks in advance for any help someone can provide.

 

[bcp]

Maybe there a plugged screen or filter in or at the carb inlet?

Maybe a hint here:

Ford 3550 with ind. loader/stalls at idle under load and when changing gears

Ran tractor out of gas. Since then it hasn't ran right. Ran great before running it dry. Took it to shop to check out and change fluids/filters. I advised them I ran it out of gas. Well anyway, it's no better. They changed filters, 3 s plg, electonic ign. brush kit, regulator, gen, hyd oil...

www.tractorbynet.com

This site may be more helpfu for your problems:

https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/

Bruce

 

[Tinhack]

Did you check the timing? On top of that, it could still be a fuel delivery issue. Make sure you are getting full flow from the tank supply line. An in-tank screen could be clogged. The screen is usually part of the shutoff valve.

 

[Ortimber]

I'd check engine compression to determine if it's acceptable. This is a very quick and easy procedure, and will then give you an idea if the engine can make the power it was rated at.

 

[studebaker62]

I checked the timing the other day and from what I could tell, it was at 18° with the vacuum advance tube attached.

Tonight I pulled the distributor, starter and adjusted the timing. I set it for what I thought was 4° with the vacuum tube disconnected. When I checked it with a light, I believe I was off TDC just a few degrees. Once I reconnected the vacuum tube, I'm back at 4°. After that I had to tweak the carburetor valve just a bit, but it is running better. I still think it needs a little more fine tuning, but I can get up the barn bank without hesitation and I can move hay bales around. I also think there may be a bad ground in the distributor. I forgot to disconnect the battery when I removed it and the gears sparked against the block.

Does anyone know where the timing should be? I read somewhere 2° without the vacuum advance and 18° with vacuum advanced but I don't remember where or if it was correct.

I don't have a compression gauge, so I'm not able to check the pressure, but I'm planning on buying one. Other than even across the cylinders, what should I be looking for pressure wise?

Thanks again for your help.