Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Massey Harris & Massey Ferguson Tractors Discussion Forum
:

Drill holes in the head to make it start better?

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
ben uk

01-20-2005 10:03:22




Report to Moderator

hi guys, was talking to our mechanic today, and somehow we got onto MF35s being hard to start (cant remember, was it 4clyinder hard to start) HE said that he had read years ago something about drilling holes in the head, and that somehow makes them start on the button.

He couldnt remember any details, or tell me how it worked, but i was just wondering if anyone could shed some light on this?

Sounded interesting!

(i dont have a 35, but hey was an interesting think to think about!)

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Tim UK

01-02-2007 05:54:18




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drill holes in the head to make it start bette in reply to ben uk, 01-20-2005 10:03:22  
I have a 23C with the usual starting nightmare. Can anyone recommend a machinist in Surrey/ Sussex/Kent they have used to good effect to cure this problem and provide details of what was done and how?



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Ben 26

12-21-2005 11:11:09




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drill holes in the head to make it start bette in reply to ben uk, 01-20-2005 10:03:22  
have pictures available of drilled out injector ports looks quite a simple job.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Old Homer

01-21-2005 04:01:43




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drill holes in the head to make it start bette in reply to ben uk, 01-20-2005 10:03:22  
I had an uncle once that had some holes drilled in his head .... I'm not sure what the problem was but he said something about headaches afterwards.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Toolbox

01-20-2005 11:54:30




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drill holes in the head to make it start bette in reply to ben uk, 01-20-2005 10:03:22  
It’s the uk 4 cylinder 35 fitted with a 23C diesel that is renowned for poor starting, I know that some people have drilled and tapped the combustion chambers in the head and fitted 4 heater plugs and they then start like a dream. The same engine was also used in a marine form and some industrial units and these had individual heater plugs from new why the tractors only had one in the inlet manifold I don’t know.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jerry/MT

01-20-2005 19:36:01




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drill holes in the head to make it start bette in reply to Toolbox, 01-20-2005 11:54:30  
Ah, I see what you mean. this is not strictly "drilling holes in the head" but modifying the Ricardo chamber to aid starting or adding glow plugs. That makes some sense now.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Thomas

01-20-2005 11:50:33




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drill holes in the head to make it start bette in reply to ben uk, 01-20-2005 10:03:22  
I have also heard this (in UK) for the 4 cylinder Standard 23C engine. The theory is that under slow cranking, the injectors produce a jet rather than a mist. If a 1/8" hole is drilled in the swirl chamber directly in line with the injector this allows fuel directly into the cylinder and hence the engine has direct injection on startup, indirect injection on running. I have never tried it myself, and probably wont - I don't fancy getting it wrong! I have also heard of holes being drilled into the head to allow a glow plug to be fitted into each swirl chamber. I have also never tried this one, however the same engine fitted to Standard cars/vans had this setup. At the time this was not done on tractor engines because it would have made the tractor more expensive than the equivelant Ford of the day (Super Dexta?) I have not tried this either, I did have a scrap head but unfortunately I got rid of it before I heard either of these, or I would have made some experimental drillings!

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jerry/MT

01-20-2005 11:38:16




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drill holes in the head to make it start bette in reply to ben uk, 01-20-2005 10:03:22  
Are you sure he was serious? I've never heard of such a thing. A critical a part as the cylinder head is, I wouldn't think you'd ever want to do anything like that. Having said that, could you get more details?



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
ben uk

01-20-2005 11:45:47




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drill holes in the head to make it start bette in reply to Jerry/MT, 01-20-2005 11:38:16  
Oh yer he was serious, hes not the sort of bloke that jokes about things like that!

He couldnt remember any details, he said it was quite a few years ago when he read about it, and cant remember much about it



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
ben uk

01-20-2005 10:15:37




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drill holes in the head to make it start bette in reply to ben uk, 01-20-2005 10:03:22  
Forgot to say, This is in the UK, dont know if they had the same engine?



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
William Bos

01-20-2005 14:25:07




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drill holes in the head to make it start bette in reply to ben uk, 01-20-2005 10:15:37  
Hi,

My Dads MF 35 started good while the glow plugs were working, but when they are not, better get the either!! His is a 1959 model 23c and has 4 glow plugs.

Take care

Will



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Simon Ridout (UK)

01-21-2005 00:49:47




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drill holes in the head to make it start bette in reply to William Bos, 01-20-2005 14:25:07  
I have a 1957 Ferguson 35 with the 23c diesel engine. It was a poor starter until I had an exchange cylinder head, which had glow plugs, fitted. This has transformed the tractor. For details try www.fofh.co.uk. The advantage of the 23c engine is that having been a bad starter, the tractor had little use and much less wear and tear than my MF35 with the 3 cylinder perkins engine.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
MIKE IN PA

01-21-2005 18:11:24




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drill holes in the head to make it start bette in reply to Simon Ridout (UK), 01-21-2005 00:49:47  
I HAVE TO GO ALONG WITH THE DRILLING FOR GLOW PLUGS THEORY . I HAVE 2 23C HEADS , BOTH WITH FACTORY GLOW PLUGS . THE HOLE IN THE PRECOMBUSTION CHAMBER TO THE CYLENDER IS RIGHT UNDER THE INJECTOR AND GLOWPLUG . I"VE MADE ADAPTORS FOR MINE AND RUN 12V TRUCK PLUGS IN SERIES . STARTED YESTERDAY UNDER A TARP , UNDER A SNOWPILE ( WITH THE HEATER PLUGGED IN ), NO SMELLING SALTS .



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy