Saving A Ford 3910

[Jstpssng]

Run it for a while and see if that helps. Any engine is going to have some quirks after setting, and the best thing to do is to work it and see what happens. I've been known to take it to " go or blow" mode if I'm trying to determine if something is worth saving... run it hard and see what happens.

 

[RickB]

You can do as you wish. Several guys here have advised you they think your tractor is normal for its age and hours. I think it would benefit from a couple days hard work to clean up the cylinder bores and get any partially stuck rings that you might have freed up and sealing again.

 

[ovrszd]

I believe Rick to know more than most of us here in regards to the condition of the engine based on information given.

Run the compression tests or use the tractor. This issue has been beatin to death.

 

[PM Wells]

That is more like it, I want to fix this tractor if I can without doing a major overhaul, that is what I am driving at, so if running is what it needs that is what I will do , And I am not afraid to put it in a strain and see what happens.

 

[aczlan]

That is more like it, I want to fix this tractor if I can without doing a major overhaul, that is what I am driving at, so if running is what it needs that is what I will do , And I am not afraid to put it in a strain and see what happens.

Put a bush hog on it and make it snort for a few hours, give the engine a chance to get hot from one end to the other and burn off any carbon from idling and doing not much.
Aka an Italian Tune-up

Aaron Z

 

[PM Wells]

Put a bush hog on it and make it snort for a few hours, give the engine a chance to get hot from one end to the other and burn off any carbon from idling and doing not much.
Aka an Italian Tune-up

Aaron Z

Thanks Aaron, I like the Italian Tune-up, I read up on it and think that is exactly what this tractor needs at this point. I did not know anything about this tractor when I got it, so it is taking a little time to figure out that it probably does have a carbon buildup. Everyone says run it, run it, it's normal for a tractor the age of yours to smoke. Well I don't agree with that, there is a reason and I intend to find it. Maybe this thread will help someone else who tries to bring a tractor back that was about given up on.

 

[Texasmark]

Get some fresh diesel and dump some injector cleaner in it....Power Services in the grey container will work, or Sea Foam in the pint can. Cleaners are advertised to not hurt the engine when installed in excess and some cans clearly state to up the ante for certain types of problems. Once you have done that hook the tractor to a good load (plow) and work it hard for several hours. Dump a can of Sea Foam in the crankcase and let it idle for half an hour.

Change the oil and filter and when you run out of that fuel, go to the normal amount of PS of SF ratio to fuel.......come back with the results.

No need to go nuts on replacing this and that till you find out you need to.

My 2000 Ford has never had a wrench on the engine at 3800 hrs. I thought it might be time for rings but doing what I said cleaned her up really nice and she starts and runs like a top. Will light off in 5-10 seconds on the coldest days here in N. Texas in December......that says a lot about engine internal condition.

 

[PM Wells]

I gave the old 3910 a little workout yesterday, it was not a hard workout because I didn't have any hard work for it right now. I put a 6 ft blade behind it and worked on our gravel drive that is about a 1000 ft long. It purred right along in hi 1 and didn't know it was even working. I ran it for almost 2 hrs, not even enough to get up a sweat. So far so good.

 

[Jstpssng]

Get some fresh diesel and dump some injector cleaner in it....Power Services in the grey container will work, or Sea Foam in the pint can. Cleaners are advertised to not hurt the engine when installed in excess and some cans clearly state to up the ante for certain types of problems. Once you have done that hook the tractor to a good load (plow) and work it hard for several hours. Dump a can of Sea Foam in the crankcase and let it idle for half an hour.

Change the oil and filter and when you run out of that fuel, go to the normal amount of PS of SF ratio to fuel.......come back with the results.

No need to go nuts on replacing this and that till you find out you need to.

My 2000 Ford has never had a wrench on the engine at 3800 hrs. I thought it might be time for rings but doing what I said cleaned her up really nice and she starts and runs like a top. Will light off in 5-10 seconds on the coldest days here in N. Texas in December......that says a lot about engine internal condition.

I've used transmission fluid in gas engines to clean out noisy lifters and smoking engines, which worked great. By the time you get to that point though, you'd better be ready to give up on the engine if things don't go as you planned.

 

[PM Wells]

I have been working the 3910 some, and it seems to be helping. I poured a can of Sea Foam into the fuel tank about a week ago, not for the injectors which are new, but was thinking it might help with carbon build up inside the combustion chamber. I put a six ft box blade behind it and graded with it for about 3 hours a few days ago, and didn't run it again until today. There was very little smoke that cleared away very quick. Thanks to all who made suggestions on this old tractor, it seems to be doing a lot better than I first thought it would.

 

[RickB]

Excellent!

 

[cjah]

Hello PM Wells - Saw this thread and was hoping you could help me with an easy question: How wide is your 3910 at the rear tires (outside dimensions)? Tractor data is showing 69" but that seems a little narrow to me. I looking at picking up a 3910 and wanted to make sure it would fit between the fenders of my trailer. Appreciate any help you can offer, Charlie.

 

[PM Wells]

I have 13.6x28 turf tires on my 3910, and now they are 78 in. out to out. they can be brought in about 2 in. on each side which would be about 74 in. out to out. I think that is about as far as they will come in.

 

[cjah]

I have 13.6x28 turf tires on my 3910, and now they are 78 in. out to out. they can be brought in about 2 in. on each side which would be about 74 in. out to out. I think that is about as far as they will come in.

Very much appreciate the response...certainly helps with planning Sounds like this tractor might be a borderline fit on my trailer.

 

[PM Wells]

Now as it is cooling down and have not run the 3910 very much in the past few weeks, when I do fire it up there is quite a bit of blue grey smoke for at least 5 minutes. I am thinking about taking the head off and doing a rebuild of the top end. Anyone have some advice on exactly what all I should do at this point on this engine?

 

[Birdhunter1]

Now as it is cooling down and have not run the 3910 very much in the past few weeks, when I do fire it up there is quite a bit of blue grey smoke for at least 5 minutes. I am thinking about taking the head off and doing a rebuild of the top end. Anyone have some advice on exactly what all I should do at this point on this engine?

Common for that engine on a cold morning.
If this thing has good power and runs well leave it alone and run it.

 

[PM Wells]

Common for that engine on a cold morning.
If this thing has good power and runs well leave it alone and run it.

I suppose if you don't have anything to offer that would be a good response. I think I will ask a real diesel mechanic to rebuild my engine head, valve train, guides, and seals, and resurface the head, and I might even do new rings.

 

[RickB]

Might as well get at it. You have been wanting to overhaul that engine since day one and have castigated anyone who suggested otherwise.

 

[PM Wells]

I don't understand the mindset of some of you, it's like some are afraid to do what is needed to their tractors. I don't want to rebuild the engine, but I want the smoke stopped. If it takes rebuilding the D engine, that is what I will do. I ask a question, could rebuilding the valve train with valve guides and seals, clean up the valves and seats, possibly be what needs to be done? what I get is castigation for wanting the smoke stopped. Oh it's normal, just run it, leave it alone. I have owned Ford Tractors going back 40 some years,15 or more gas burners, 3 3600s,1 3000,1 2810, 3 3930s, several Masseys,and now this 3910. None of the others had this problem. so no I will not just run it, I will fix it.

 

[radios1]

Thanks for the advice, I certainly do not want an engine rebuild, that would put this tractor into the salvage category for sure.

Good Advice.