Saving A Ford 3910

pmsmechanic · Nov 12, 2019

PM Wells said:
I want to thank all you who sincerely were interested in this thread about trying to save a Ford 3910 tractor that had a lot of issues that could easily have made it a junker or parts tractor. I had never tried to recover one from this condition before, even though I have owned several Ford Diesel tractors before, so I was unfamiliar with the engine and injection system, and some of the mechanical operations. I was hoping by posting this thread that I could learn and maybe someone else dealing with a similar situation could find help. Sadly some of the other posters decided to get critical and judgmental toward the newbie, and tried to take the thread into a cat and mouse game. I fully intend to finish the work I started on this project, hopefully without anymore games.

Ok I'll take you at your word on this. I also want to see how this turns out in the end because I want to learn something.

I don't want to see this thread shut down because of people getting snarky with each other. So maybe delete this part "Sadly some of the other posters decided to get critical and judgmental toward the newbie, and tried to take the thread into a cat and mouse game." of your above statement because it's just inflammatory and doesn't do anything to further your cause in this thread. Just an idea.

ovrszd · Nov 12, 2019

pmsmechanic said:
Ok I'll take you at your word on this. I also want to see how this turns out in the end because I want to learn something.

I don't want to see this thread shut down because of people getting snarky with each other. So maybe delete this part "Sadly some of the other posters decided to get critical and judgmental toward the newbie, and tried to take the thread into a cat and mouse game." of your above statement because it's just inflammatory and doesn't do anything to further your cause in this thread. Just an idea.

I think for future use this thread has some very, very valuable information imbedded. I think any reader that's looking for technical information will get it and will ignore the sarcasm. Good stuff in here.

PM Wells · Nov 12, 2019

There will be nothing else said about anything except the progress of my 3910 project from me. I hope it will stay on track the rest of the way. Thank you for your interest and hopefully we all can learn from this. Anyone who has good advice on this project know that it will be appreciated.

thepumpguysc · Nov 12, 2019

Does the engine have a "thermo-start" plug in the intake.??
IF the smoke was Black OR White instead of Blue.. Id say the thermo start plug was bad & drippin fuel into the intake..
I've seen THAT a thousand times..
Good luck going forward.

ovrszd · Nov 12, 2019

thepumpguysc said:
Does the engine have a "thermo-start" plug in the intake.??
IF the smoke was Black OR White instead of Blue.. Id say the thermo start plug was bad & drippin fuel into the intake..
I've seen THAT a thousand times..
Good luck going forward.

My 3910 smokes black a little more than I think it should. Freshly rebuilt injector pump. Never thought about the thermo-start plug. That'll be a good shop project to investigate that.

PM Wells · Nov 12, 2019

thepumpguysc said:
Does the engine have a "thermo-start" plug in the intake.??
IF the smoke was Black OR White instead of Blue.. Id say the thermo start plug was bad & drippin fuel into the intake..
I've seen THAT a thousand times..
Good luck going forward.

Thank you, I did check that and could not see any fuel in the intake before I started it. I really believe it is leaking some oil into the cylinders by the valve guide seals and then burning it off, does that sound like it is the problem, and I may have to live with it

airbiscuit · Nov 12, 2019

thepumpguysc said:
Does the engine have a "thermo-start" plug in the intake.??
IF the smoke was Black OR White instead of Blue.. Id say the thermo start plug was bad & drippin fuel into the intake..
I've seen THAT a thousand times..
Good luck going forward.

Does a Ford 3910 have a Thermo-Start?

thepumpguysc · Nov 12, 2019

IDK if "looking" in the intake is a good test..??
To rule it out, TAKE IT OUT & dry it off w/ something "flammable".. Brake Kleen, Ether, gas.. & blow it dry..
put it on a dry piece of paper or cardboard..
THEN start the engine.. if it leaks on the paper or not, u have your answer..
CHECK the smoke while you have it started..

U COULD get some valve stem seals on both the intake & exhaust valves to "rig it" for awhile..

airbiscuit · Nov 12, 2019

Starting a fire in the intake manifold always seemed nuts to me. I saw it in the old Yanmars.

PM Wells · Nov 13, 2019

I read that it is called a "Intake Manifold Heater" and my 3910 does have it. It is fueled by a tube from the return line to the fuel tank. I did not check to see if it actually fired the fuel in the intake on startup. I did check to see if any fuel had leaked into the intake while it was sitting , it was dry before starting. Now if it did not fire there may have been unburned fuel in the intake after I started the engine that was pulled into the engine and had to burn

thepumpguysc · Nov 14, 2019

That's what I'm getting at.. U SHOULD use it on start up to warm the cylinders..
& if its leaking while the engine is running.. you'll get smoke..

PM Wells · Nov 14, 2019

I agree, I will be checking to make sure it is working before starting the engine next time, very well could be part of the smoke problem. I liked what you said on another thread about diesel engine compression needing to be above 300 psi to start. Even though I didn't check the compression on my engine, it does start easy.

PM Wells · Aug 16, 2020

Just wanted to update the project of Saving a Ford 3910 tractor. I have been using the tractor since doing all the work on it last fall, and the smoking has all but stopped when I fire it up. Like a lot of you said just use it and it may be ok, I think you were right. I had a set of 14.9 ag tires installed this summer, and am well pleased with the old 3910. Thanks for all the advice and help on this project.

ovrszd · Aug 16, 2020

Thank you for the update. Glad it's working for you!!!!

Happy Gilmore · Aug 17, 2020

Glad to hear, post some updated pics

PM Wells · Aug 17, 2020

Here is a few pics

ovrszd · Aug 17, 2020

She's a Beaut!!!! Thanks for the pics!!!

PM Wells · Aug 17, 2020

Thanks, I found the tires new never been on rims Titan 14.9x28 on FB marketplace in Va. The man had bought them a few years back to put on a tractor he was working on, and didnt use them. I wanted to get the turf tires off, so was glad to get them. I don't think that I will be painting the tractor anytime soon. Mostly just want to get it in good working condition. Again thanks to all who followed this thread, hope it will encourge someone to save that old tractor.

PM Wells · Aug 30, 2020

I am thinking about painting the 3910. I believe it is to the point that the mechanical condition is good. I would like the appearence to be better, but don't like that new paint look either on an older tractor. Like other things about this tractor, it has been a toss up. Maybe some of you would offer your opinion, leave it as is, or make it shinny?? Thanks for any advice.

fried1765 · Aug 30, 2020

PM Wells said:
I am thinking about painting the 3910. I believe it is to the point that the mechanical condition is good. I would like the appearence to be better, but don't like that new paint look either on an older tractor. Like other things about this tractor, it has been a toss up. Maybe some of you would offer your opinion, leave it as is, or make it shinny?? Thanks for any advice.

If it were mine, I would make it look like new,..... and be proud to have people see it.
I did that to my Ford 3400 TLB, and my Ford 1920 FEL.
Am working on my Kubota L48 TLB now.