Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Seth on 03 March 2014, 12:57:09

Title: Tractor engine - can anyone assist ...
Post by: Seth on 03 March 2014, 12:57:09
... my latest (and most 'trying') quest in the world of preservation to date, that is? ::)

To cut a long (ish) story short ...
A good friend and former colleague of mine is trying to locate an engine 'bottom end' for one of these:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/43954633/577px-Fordson_Major.jpg)

It's for a mid-1950s Fordson Major ... which, wait for it ... is located in ... Caithness ... :o

The engine is the E1A model, with CAV in-line injection pump incorporating a pneumatic governor.
Also oft-referred to as the '4D' engine, it was also fitted in Atlas trailer-compressors and used as 'donkey' engines on lorry-mounted concrete mixers in the 1960/70s era. Some mobile generators/welding sets also utilized this hardy unit.
The 'road version' was fitted in these:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/43954633/img012.jpg)

So, the block/pistons/crankshaft from the latter would suffice.
All the other ancilliaries are available and in fine fettle ;)

My/our usual sources have thus far proven fruitless, though given their popularity/robustness, someone might just know the whereabouts of a suitable donor. It'll also (on my part) be great to reciprocate the sound advice and untold assistance that the chap concerned readily gave me when I restored my former AEC Reliance bus.
Overnight bag packed in readiness for a trip to the great 'Far North' 8)

Thanks in anticipation everyone ;)


 

 
Title: Re: Tractor engine - can anyone assist ...
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 03 March 2014, 13:13:02
That Fordson tractor is some how very sexy, lovely blue and, yes, I do remember them and that lorry type all so well when they were used daily. :y :y

I wish I could help with the engine :D :D
Title: Re: Tractor engine - can anyone assist ...
Post by: 05omegav6 on 03 March 2014, 13:26:42
MarksDTM probably has one in the Shed...
Title: Re: Tractor engine - can anyone assist ...
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 03 March 2014, 13:37:27
A standard E1A diesel major, 3.6 litre Ford diesel from memory (the big brother of my little Dexta although that has a Fordson/Perkins engine in it).

Wet liners so engine refurb is pretty simple (if you can fab a few tools up) and an engine kit with liners, pistons, gaskets, valves etc is sub 250 notes.

Crankshafts can be bought new still (but around the 300 notes mark) and I am guessing that camshaft ad the works would be needed.

Engine blocks can be got but are getting rare, there was also two versions, one with the throttle passing through the block and another with the throttle passing behind the block.

Malcolm Hipperson (01366324394) is a good source of second hand parts and it might be worth giving him a call.

I note there is an engine on ebay for sale although it needs a rebuild.

You could always go down the P6 route......  :y

And the Fordson Tractor pages can be useful for help and advice

I should add I cant see the photos yet as there blocked by the works fire wall
Title: Re: Tractor engine - can anyone assist ...
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 03 March 2014, 13:40:23
MarksDTM probably has one in the Shed...

No, only an RV8 and a Leyland 680 (plus three others stored elesewhere)  :y ;D
Title: Re: Tractor engine - can anyone assist ...
Post by: omega3000 on 03 March 2014, 15:43:09
Nice lorry  :y
Title: Re: Tractor engine - can anyone assist ...
Post by: Rog on 03 March 2014, 17:44:52
That Fordson tractor is some how very sexy, lovely blue and, yes, I do remember them and that lorry type all so well when they were used daily. :y :y


Lizzie, don't tell fibs. You can't possibly be that old   ;)    ;)

Title: Re: Tractor engine - can anyone assist ...
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 03 March 2014, 18:12:35
That Fordson tractor is some how very sexy, lovely blue and, yes, I do remember them and that lorry type all so well when they were used daily. :y :y


Lizzie, don't tell fibs. You can't possibly be that old   ;)    ;)

I wish! ::) ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
Title: Re: Tractor engine - can anyone assist ...
Post by: Seth on 04 March 2014, 02:29:55
A standard E1A diesel major, 3.6 litre Ford diesel from memory (the big brother of my little Dexta although that has a Fordson/Perkins engine in it).

Wet liners so engine refurb is pretty simple (if you can fab a few tools up) and an engine kit with liners, pistons, gaskets, valves etc is sub 250 notes.

Crankshafts can be bought new still (but around the 300 notes mark) and I am guessing that camshaft ad the works would be needed.

Engine blocks can be got but are getting rare, there was also two versions, one with the throttle passing through the block and another with the throttle passing behind the block.

Malcolm Hipperson (01366324394) is a good source of second hand parts and it might be worth giving him a call.

I note there is an engine on ebay for sale although it needs a rebuild.

You could always go down the P6 route......  :y

And the Fordson Tractor pages can be useful for help and advice

I should add I cant see the photos yet as there blocked by the works fire wall

Well done Mr DTM ... and these lumps had a modest 5.5 : 1 compression ratio too! ;)

The original unit has, I'm told, thrown a big end/rod, so the block's well and truly shot.
The version that we're seeking has the throttle linkage cross shaft that passes thro' the block, so'll have a word with Mr Hipperson post haste.

The eBay offering has already been pursued and rejected. Thanks anyway, butt! ;)
Title: Re: Tractor engine - can anyone assist ...
Post by: Seth on 04 March 2014, 02:46:24
A standard E1A diesel major, 3.6 litre Ford diesel from memory (the big brother of my little Dexta although that has a Fordson/Perkins engine in it).

3 cylinder job! ;)

An identical Dexta to the one that I learned to drive on:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/43954633/Dexta.jpeg)

... at the tender age of 12 years old ... :o
Title: Re: Tractor engine - can anyone assist ...
Post by: Seth on 04 March 2014, 02:49:58
That Fordson tractor is some how very sexy, lovely blue and, yes, I do remember them and that lorry type all so well when they were used daily. :y :y

I wish I could help with the engine :D :D

Empire Blue dear Lizzie ... or was it Imperial Blue? ... (scratches head) :-[
Title: Re: Tractor engine - can anyone assist ...
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 04 March 2014, 08:02:49
That Fordson tractor is some how very sexy, lovely blue and, yes, I do remember them and that lorry type all so well when they were used daily. :y :y

I wish I could help with the engine :D :D

Empire Blue dear Lizzie ... or was it Imperial Blue? ... (scratches head) :-[

Empire Blue on Fordsons  :y
Title: Re: Tractor engine - can anyone assist ...
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 04 March 2014, 08:05:19
Well done Mr DTM ... and these lumps had a modest 5.5 : 1 compression ratio too! ;)

The original unit has, I'm told, thrown a big end/rod, so the block's well and truly shot.
The version that we're seeking has the throttle linkage cross shaft that passes thro' the block, so'll have a word with Mr Hipperson post haste.

The eBay offering has already been pursued and rejected. Thanks anyway, butt! ;)

The petrol ones were 5.5:1, the all fuel ones were around 4.5:1 and the diesel was 16:1.

The diesels were pretty revolutionary as they were direct injection!
Title: Re: Tractor engine - can anyone assist ...
Post by: henryd on 04 March 2014, 09:40:52
A standard E1A diesel major, 3.6 litre Ford diesel from memory (the big brother of my little Dexta although that has a Fordson/Perkins engine in it).

3 cylinder job! ;)

An identical Dexta to the one that I learned to drive on:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/43954633/Dexta.jpeg)

... at the tender age of 12 years old ... :o

Aha,a super Dexta,my dad had one back in the sixties and I too learnt to drive on it :y :y
Title: Re: Tractor engine - can anyone assist ...
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 04 March 2014, 09:48:23
Yep, Supers were a slightly larger bore engine and used a mechanically governed fuel pump (where as the early ones were pneumatic), add in a slightly modified bonnet profile and different nose to.

Worth a few quid now.

Mine is a very early 1959 standard Dexta, originaly sold by Frys of Uttoxeter (they later went on to be a Vx dealer before closing some years ago)