4D Engine identification

[edhopwood]

Hello there, For some time I've been trying to find out the year and model of my boat engine without success.
I've been told that its a Ford 4D as used in the Fordson Major range of tractors. A diesel mechanic reckons it's a 590.
The numbers stamped on don't seem to coincide with the info I have about these engines though so I'm struggling to identify.
The numbers on the block are S108487E

would be very grateful if anyone could help me on my detective mission?
Incidentally the engine hadn't been started for 10 years, we fired it up and seems to be running very well but if anyone has any service and maintenance tips for an engine this age, I'd also be very grateful.

heres a link to some photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/94721980@N ... 180817849/






many thanks Ed

[JC]

Hi Ed
Welcome to Fordson Tractor Pages.
It looks like you have a marinised version of a Mark 1 Fordson Major engine. If you look on the left side of the block, about 3 inches below the front exhaust port, you will find a casting code. If you post that, we can tell you when your engine was made.
The S number that you found means that its an industrial engine and there are no known records of those numbers.

[edhopwood]

Thanks very much! I'll take a look tomorrow, that's progress at least...

[edhopwood]

Hello there, it's only been a year or two but I'm back working on my engine.
I found some more letters stamped ABA does this mean anything. I can't find anything else which I think is a casting code.

[Brian]

Your engine is around 1954 as it has the very early valve cover held on by two bolts, after 1954 the cover had six screws. The casting number you need is on the side of the engine opposite the injection pump and could be just visible above the dynamo if you have one fitted. There is another casting code on the cylinder head between the manifold and the valve cover. You also have the vertical injection pump not one that leans in to the engine and an old style mechanical governor.

You can also see the early style valve cover breather pipe that goes into the manifold not into the air cleaner as in the later engines.

[edhopwood]

Thanks for the response to my last question, haven't been on the forum for a while so didn't notice the reply!

[Brian]

Your pump has either a "GM" or a "GV" governor attached to a standard Simms pump of the era. The mechanical governor was used in industrial applications of the engine where a constant speed was required rather than reactions to load as in truck and tractor applications. As your engine is the early type the pump will be a "GV". You should have a plate on the governor housing which gives the type and the rev range you have.

There is little adjustment to control "hunting" in the pump but there should be engine oil in the governor housing. There is an oil level plug on the rear of the governor housing and a large filler plug on the side. You may find that an oil change is all you need to correct your problem. There are no adjustments as everything internally is springs and linkage which will have worn a little over the years giving you the problem, i would doubt that there are any spares available aftyer all this time.

[Billy26F5]

Great to see a real GV governor, they seem pretty rare these days. These require an oil change every 50 hours, same oil as engine. I would concur with it being a Mk1 but the serial number indicates an early 58, which would be a Mk2 592E rather than a 954E or 562E. The 590E is the 6 cylinder engine. More pics of the block and the serial number would help, as would the casting codes (If your code is right it's A8A, 8 January 57). Are you sure the serial isn't R108487? It's important to know this for sure first before sorting out details. Looking at the lift pump won't do much, but you do need to clean the screen inside it. This is an AC pump, either a Y or a YD depending on the age (changed from the Y to the YD in April 56). The number on the pump inspection cover as well as the governor and pump serial number will help too. The governor will either be a GVA 350/750 or a GVA 350/900 and will probably have a serial number too (note these two speeds are set for use as 3 phase AC generators). If you've had sticking issues with the rack Brian recommends putting in ATF in the pump (not the governor, they're separate systems, the pump being serviced like the pneumatic govened one and the governor being given new oil every 50 hours). If there's any doubt about the timing marks then spill time to check accuracy. If well looked after the marks should be accurate as long as they were to start with. The rack won't move unless the engine is running when moving the throttle, as it needs speed to move away from maximum delivery. The manual you found isn't the only one you want, you want these:
https://www.fordson.se/2_Kylsystem_Br%E ... 68-114.pdf
https://www.fordson.se/2A_Br%E4nslesyst ... 01-030.pdf
https://www.fordson.se/2B_och_3_Br%E4ns ... 01-004.pdf
The first one covers pumps on early engines, the second one has some of the changes and the third has the GV governor (also the GM and minimec). The strange marks you're referring to might be previous attempts at making positions but you're much better to leave the engine in the correct position for timing later before removing the pump. Remember these plungers are the opposite way round to the ones in a pneumatic governor, Don't mix the sizes. If your stop lever forces a 180 degree turn for the cable use the slightly different E1ADDN-993215D (also used on Nuffield's under part number AAK257) in place of 954E-993215.
Sandy