Timing and power

[woodcutter]

Hi all I've got a super major with a minimec pump and while using it on the weekend it seems to lack a bit of power when pulling up a hill it's almost like the brakes are on but I've checked to see if brakes are binding but they are not and so I thought I'd check the timing and when I lined the pump up it was about 27 when it should be 21 would this cause my problem or should I look some where else, it smokes abit on the uphill but I'm holding her flat out to get up there I've also drained fuel cleaned tank filters etc so not sure what to do

[Brian]

Two other places to check:

1. Remove the cover on the fuel lift pump and make sure it is clean in there.

2. Change the oil in the governor housing on the pump and refill to the correct level with engine oil.

27 degrees is a long way out so it could be a lot of your problem.

You did say you have cleaned the filter in the fuel tap did you not?

Have you cleaned the air cleaner lately?

[woodcutter]

It's had a new lift pump when I cleaned system, but I took oil bath off bottom of filter oil is at the correct level but when fitted the tube off the mesh filter is slightly submerged is this correct I tipped a bit of oil out so there's a gap between pipe and oil but still not tried tractor on run cheers

[Brian]

Sounds like you have done everything so it should be fine. The lower air cleaner gauze should pull down for cleaning so you might check that as well.

[woodcutter]

Yeah I've pulled it out and cleaned it also the top half was cleaned not long ago, so should the pipe be in the oil or above oil the lower mesh filter maybe an aftermarket job so wondered if pipe was too long cheers brian

[Brian]

The pipe should be just above the oil when running or just in the oil when stopped. When the engine starts the oil is drawn up into the mesh so the level drops. As long as the bowl is filled to the level machined into it you should be OK.

[BearCreek Majors]

some of the aftermarket precleaners greatly reduce the airflow into the air cleaner.

Pat

[woodcutter]

Well I've had a chance to try out major again but it still seems down on power it feels like it's pulling hard so I jacked it up the wheels are quite hard to turn by hand so I jacked up another major that goes ok, that one is quite hard to turn aswell, so now I don't know what to look at next , what should the super major rev to? Could it be the governor in pump? Engine starts and idles perfect could it be something internal like camshaft or tappets or would I hear noise . I'm stumped it's ok on the flat but as soon as you come to hill and make her pull she starts bogging down like its not revving enough, any help appreciated

[Brian]

Minimec Super should rev at around 2000-2100 rpm. You will not get much idea by jacking and spinning the wheels, the amount of heavy gears and turning the dif. puts quite a drag on things.

If it was the brakes binding I would have thought you would have smelt them or seen discoloured housings. Are you sure the handbrake is fully off? We used to grind the front teeth off the handbrake pawl to ensure this did not get left on and seize up.

Any reason for the pump timing to slip? 27 degrees is quite a long way out.

Two things that did happen to NP Supers back in the day, because Ford increased the valve spring pressure on the FL head the camshafts used to wear round and the cam followers would wear through the pads, dropping them into the sump. It might be worth checking the tappets to see if you have suddenly got a larger gap on some of them.

[woodcutter]

I can only get her to rev to about 1700/1800 I think that's my trouble she not reving enough I'm getting full movement on throttle so would you say it's more likely pump or camshaft , il take rocker cover off and check tappets, I don't really want to take camshaft out cheers brian I could do with you popping down and sorting her out

[Brian]

Check that the arm on the pump is hard against the adjuster when the throttle is fully back. Sounds like it is throttle/pump problems but the tappets should tell you if it is anything else.

[woodcutter]

I've checked tappets and all pretty much in spec, I think I might put a new drive pad on the pump as there is a little play, when checking timing there's seems a degree or so of backlash is this correct, should I replace with a fibre pad or nylon? And is it worth getting my pump tested as I can't see anything else wrong

[Brian]

The fibre drive would do little to put the timing out. A new pad will stop the rattle for a few weeks then it will come back It was normal on most workig tractors. I have not tried the nylon one but it should possibly wear better than the fibre ones.

Getting the pump tested is an option and would eliminate that as the cause of your problems.

[woodcutter]

I spoke to the guy at the diesel shop and he said he can test it but if I wanted to try something myself, to undo the locknut and turn the screw out about half a turn the one on top of the pump just remember where it was originally and if it goes better then you know your looking in the right area, does this sound like a good idea

[Brian]

To do that will increase the fuel input and cause more smoke which you say you are getting anyway. It will not affect the revs. If you have a problem with the governor, (none responsive, low power, reduced revs) it will not be of much help.

[woodcutter]

The throttle is going fully back against adjuster, but could the adjusting bolt be turned in to much is there a way of setting this so I no it is correct just trying to think of something simple before sending pump off or has this got to be done at the diesel specialist cheers

[Brian]

No problem adjusting the setting to 2100 rpm. I would be more worried about adjusting the fuel setting.