Is the starter going....

[foxtower]

...or just my mind?

Finally got a break in the action and had a chance to get some grease on the Ferguson's shiny new manual. The poor tractors been worked in the condition it arrived in and I took today to give it some well deserved care. I think it's demanding a new starter but I'm not sure if it's the starter of if there is something else that could cause it to Crank a few seconds and then just whirr. Does this mean it's going bad?

I'm not sure... That was before I gave it a much needed tune up. Now It starts after two seconds of cranking and doesn't get a chance to whirr...

Does anybody know what the little spigot on the engine block (pictured below) is for?

In the second picture... is something missing that's supposed to cover the flywheel?

[foxtower]

oops... messed up on the pictures.

[glenn27]

Foxtower--just a educated guess on ur two pics--older engines had several drain spigots for water/antifreeze in the winter.....also--looks like a metal "inspection plate" is missing from under the flywheel--there should be a couple little bolt holes where it would bolt up to back of engine--also to see the clutch/flywheel, some had a grease fitting or two on the clutch thro-out bearing, and the clutch pivot arm, and maybe the last gut never put them back....
JMHO.....Let us know what u decide--some very knowledgable , tractor guys right here.. :goodl:

[Mickey]

If there is no missing teeth on the flywheel, I'd suspect the bendex drive on the starter is either dirty or about kaput. Don't know if you can just by a bendex any longer.

[Ingersoll444]

OK, the spiget is for draining the block. A lot og guys back in the day just used water, with nothing else, so drained the system a lot, as for the cover... Is that a tin oil pan on there? Maybe I am wrong, but I thought they had a cast iron pan. That would have bolted to the bellhousing to help support the tractor. Those holes look to big, and there is to many to just hold a tin sheld on.

What model Fergie is it?

[Ken N Tx]

OK, the spiget is for draining the block. A lot og guys back in the day just used water, with nothing else, so drained the system a lot, as for the cover... Is that a tin oil pan on there? Maybe I am wrong, but I thought they had a cast iron pan. That would have bolted to the bellhousing to help support the tractor. Those holes look to big, and there is to many to just hold a tin sheld on.

What model Fergie is it?

Paul has it!! The spigot is to drain the block.

When searching for parts, remember that your Fergie is a close cousin to the Ford N and many parts may be interchangeable..

Contact us over on the 9N/2N/8N Forum (http://www.mytractorforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=38) and we can help..

Does it have a front mount or a side mount distributor??

CLICK ON THUMB FOR LARGER VIEW

[foxtower]

Hey Ken... the distributor is on the side (and the plugs as well).

[foxtower]

The gentleman at Restoration Supply suggested I check the cables. It looks like the previous owner replaced the 6V cables with 12V auto cables.

It's possible that not only are the cables not carrying enough current when starting, but also the battery isn't being charged as well as it could be with heavier cables.

[bear]

that will likely be the problem 12v cables will not work on a 6v system just to much resistance in the smaller wire

[Volfandt]

What yr/model is your Fergie? I had a TE20 and worked it for about 16 yrs before I sold it and now I kinda miss the old thang now.
There should be an inspection plate covering that hole, you might try here, http://www.ytmag.com/ferg/wwwboard1.html for additional info & parts.
Those 12v cables can contribute to your starting troubles somewhat but it sounds like the bendix may be going. Mine would act similar in that after so many cranks the bendix would then free spin. I also changed mine over from the manual gear shifter starter switch to an electrical solenoid and that improved starting some. The contacts on the manual starter were worn out and would barely make contact.
Another thing about these old 6v tractors is that they don't like to start in winter. The colder it gets the slower it'll turn over.
One trick I'd use to get it started faster would be to squirt a couple tablespoons of gas into the throat of the carb. I'd use one of those turkey seasonng injectors. It takes alot of gas to get 'em going.
I ran a 50/50 mix of water/anti freeze and never had to drain. I'd flush it out every 3 or 4 yrs and put new fluids in it tho.

Hopefully you've got an over running PTO clutch on the PTO. If your doing any bush hogg'n of finish mowing the over running clutch will keep you from running into a fence or barn :D

Volfandt

[foxtower]

Volfandt- "What yr/model is your Fergie? I had a TE20 and worked it for about 16 yrs before I sold it and now I kinda miss the old thang now.
There should be an inspection plate covering that hole, you might try here,"

Thanks for the link!

Since I learned about the cables on the 53 TO-30 I haven't had any more starting problems.

It started easily before I tuned it up, and now it only needs to crank a few seconds. Don't know about Winter... this year it'll most likely end up jacked up and covered as I'll use the Case 442 for plowing as always.

I bought the tractor but don't have any implements other than it's loader and a cultivator I found here on the farm. The PTO spins, and the three point hitch when engaged lifts the attached array of chain and suitcase weights nicely, but I'm not even sure if it really works should I find a plow. Since I've never used 3-point or PTO implements I'll be back here looking for help at that time I'm sure.

For now it's just nice to have the Ferguson for moving compost, fill and debris. I really would like to fix all the little things (bad seals, knocking lifters, peeled paint etc.) before I actually work it too much, but thats a ways away.... I've only had it a few months and I've only had the farm a year which after a decade of neglect still has a long way to go.

Again, thanks for the link! I certainly don't want to deal with too much dust before I either find or cobble togather a cover.

foxtower