Just bought a IH 3688 - I need help from the experts.

As the subject states, I just picked up a 3688 with a loader at auction for pretty cheap and I want to try and find out more about it before I put it to any kind of work.

There are a couple things that stand out that I would like to try and troubleshoot. Hopefully someone out there is an expert in these tractors and can lead me in the right direction.

To start with, there is lots of travel in the clutch before the transmission enguages. Is this common in this series?

The second thing I noticed is that the powershift does not seem to work. Shifting from high to low to reverse and between the speeds seems OK, but there doesn"t seem to be any action when shifting within the speeds (1st to 2nd, or 2nd to 3rd....). Is this likely serious? I dont really need all those gears anyway. If I continue to use the tractor, am I likely to cause more damage?

The last thing I noticed so far is that the "vent tube" below the cab of the tractor (~1" tube by the oil pan) seems to smoke more than I think should be normal. We used a 1086 many years ago and I recall that it puffed a bit of exhaust but this one seem to smoke pretty good. Would this be normal for this tractor or is it symptomatic of somthing bad?

Any help is appreciated.

First thing is an out af adjustment clutch or its in need of replacement. The shifting between gears is done with the TA. So either your TA switch is bad or out of adjustment or the wires to the solinoid are broken. Most liklly tho you need a TA overhaul. As for the blowby some is normal but if its really fogging its time for an overhaul. Good Luck!

What's involved in a TA overhaul? Are the part expensive?

Big job. The TA is in the center section of the tractor, part engine bolts to. You have to double split the tractor, first engine to clutch housing than clutch center housing from rear end. I think this can be done with out removing the cab on the 3688. Then its just a matter of disassembling the center section and replacing the TA unit. As for cost I would figure in the $2000 neighborhood depending on just what parts you find that need replacing. If you have a shop do it add another $1500+ for labor. But before you condem the TA you need to do some checks. The TA is activated by a switch and solinoid in that tractor that can be out of adjustment or faulty. You can use the tractor as is with the TA out and do no harm, you just don't have the extra gears. Good Luck.

Going from 1st to 2nd to 3rd to 4th requires clutching and stopping the tractor. It is neither synchronized nor powershifted.

The only powershift is the TA which "splits" each gear into two.

Sounds like you bought someone else's problems. It's going to need a clutch, TA, and an engine overhaul. Hope you got it REAL cheap.