Ford 3600 Diesel

Trying to get Kim to reset my password, but needed help ASAP so changed to a different login.... (On a different computer today.)

Kevin (FL)

Looking at a tractor for my brother and came across a "needs-work" 3600 diesel for a good price. The engine runs good though I'm not 100% sure about how the 3-cylinder sounds compared to my old 172 4-cylinder. During the inspection last night, a few items were noticed.

1) Steering is very hard. Can't tell if the tractor has P/S or not. There's no visible P/S pump like the older Fords.

2) Fuel leak on top of the injection pump. Looks like it's coming out of the spring area, but may be coming out from the line connections.

3) No brakes.

4) Don't know if alternator was working.

Good--Engine starts right up with good oil pressure, sheet metal good, tires good, Hi-Lo 8 speed transmission works good, PTO & lift both work, though I didn't have an implement to test the holding of the lift.

Questions:

Anyone know if 3600s came without P/S?

Any ideas of fixing the fuel leak? Can I do this in place or does the pump have to come off?

On the brakes, I was hoping they were out of adjustment, but I've heard that brakes on these tractors need adjustment pretty regular and they don't have the best holding power when they are adjusted. Anyone own one of these? Please offer comments and suggestions.

And, what would a good price on the tractor as described above? I can get this one under $3k.

Thanks in advance for any advice or help.

Price will vary with location... here in n/w WI, you'd have to jump on it, or it WILL be gone.
Brakes are still outboard drums on 3600, but they should work good. May need shoes and/or axle seals? Or just adjusting. Yes, they were available w/o p/s. Look for a pump on the left front of the engine, just behind the fan, and p/s cylinders onboth sides. Can't help you much with the fuel leak...

Well, I bought the tractor. Well under 3K. Starts right up and no oil smoke, but definitely need to fix the fuel leak. Unloaded it off trailer tonight--tricky without brakes, but no incidents.

Fuel leak is at the throttle shaft; guess the o-ring is bad. Heard it can be changed as long as I'm careful with the plate removal.

Will take the wheels off this weekend and check the brake situation. Other minor things to fix--the headlights don't come on and I need to check the alternator to see if it's charging. Fellow that sold it gave me a new battery in the deal, two oil filters and a fuel filter too.

Also will change the oil & filter too and trans & differential oil. Will order a manual on Thursday.

Sounds like stuff that needs to be done, but relativly minor. Sounds like you got a bargain! Good luck with it. (post some pics if you can... here or on the Ford board)

Leaks aren't a big deal. Just remove the pump cover and replace the o-rings. Don't forget the shutoff lever... and DO NOTE the position of the govenor spring and the shutoff bar when you remove the cover. I prefer to remove the pump from the engine to do this but some don't...

Brakes are pretty simple. You probably need shoes. Get the EXACT date code for the tractor and order VERY carefully when selecting shoes. There are MANY different ones available. You may also find that the actuators are worn where they sit between the shoes... so look carefully at that and you may need to adjust the linkage to take up that slack in addition to adjusting the star wheels.
The other option... the wheel seals may very well be bad in which case you'll need to pull the axle shafts and replace the seals. That may be best done by a dealer if it has the retainer nut rather than the sleeve. It requires a special tool to remove that nut unless you want to buy a socket and make the tool...
Headlights may be as simple as a fuse. Start checking at the switch for power and go from there. It's a simple circuit.

Alternator... If the charge light comes on with the key on and engine not running, and then goes out when you start the engine, it's charging fine. If the light doesn't come on at all, pull the cluster ahead and check for power to the bulb, then check the bulb.
If you should find that the alt is bad or the reg is bad... personally I just install a Delco 10si in place of the Motorolla and be done of it. A Delco with a lifetime warranty is far cheaper than the motorolla and slightly more money than a regulator... The brackets need modified a bit to fit the Delco but the wiring remains unchanged.

Rod

Thanks Rod & Fordfarmer for some great info. Meant to ask one other question--I've heard there's an aftermarket? power steering conversion kit available for these tractors. Anyone have any experience with these? Source, price, installation efforts?

Thanks again.