Won't Fire

[smclaughlin81]

So still working on my 2120 Ford NH. Had a blown head gasket (believed), dismantled what was needed to pull the head off. Gasket looked good other than one small spot, where I believe it had blown through between the cylinders. Anyway, cleaned up the head, block, everything looked really good actually, ordered a new gasket and put it on. I reused the head bolts, torqued everything, reassembled. Engine won't fire, has fuel, has air, runs on starting fluid, but nothing without. It chugs all kinds of smoke out. I've spent hours and burned up one starter trying to get it to fire off, but nothing. I'm going to do a compression check, it's all that's left. Fuel, air, combustion... but not if no or low compression. Any other ideas? Fuel solenoid is working properly.

 

[oldnslo]

If runs on starting fluid Are you sure it is getting fuel at the proper time and in the proper amount? Once firing on starter fluid it should run even with low compression since that is frequently why starting fluid was used on older diesel’s

 

[smclaughlin81]

Well, when I pulled the tractor in the shop, I removed what was necessary to get the head off, I never turned the engine, moved the tractor, anything. Just removed the injection lines. I have fuel squirting at all 4 injectors. Nothing has changed

 

[smclaughlin81]

I just did a compression test on all 4 cylinders. Each one was a scoche over 300 psi.

 

[thepumpguysc]

What about push rods and valve settings.??

 

[smclaughlin81]

Push rods were all in good shape, i haven't checked the valves. Tractor has 980 hours on it.

 

[Happy in NC]

Double check that fuel solenoid, A wise man on here told me that even if it works on the bench it doesn't mean it works in the tractor. He was right. Blew a fuse that had been added in line for some reason. My .02

 

[smclaughlin81]

Double check that fuel solenoid, A wise man on here told me that even if it works on the bench it doesn't mean it works in the tractor. He was right. Blew a fuse that had been added in line for some reason. My .02

Believe me, I've checked it. It is working properly....

 

[rScotty]

Believe me, I've checked it. It is working properly....

If it fires on starter fluid but chugs on fuel, that sure sounds like cylnders are not getting fuel at the proper time and sequence. Somehow the injector pump or injectors has gotten out of time.
That's easy to check, and on an old style diesel there is almost nothing else it could be.
rScotty

 

[oldnslo]

If you removed the head did you reset the valve clearances upon reassembly? If my memory is accurate 300 PSI is on the low end for a diesel.