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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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400 Diesel - Take it or leave it?

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Big Joe

09-27-2003 15:17:12




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A neighbor has a 400 diesel (approx 1956) with the gas started engine. It appears to have all of the important engine componenets, but I'm a little skiddish about this Farmall start on gas run on diesel system. I'd hate to spent $1500 on rebuilding the motor to find out that it won't be reliable or will be a thorn in my side, not to mention having to tune and maintain two fuel delivery systems. Any information on this type of Farmall engine (to include the model M-D) would be appreciated

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David in UT

09-29-2003 19:32:59




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 Re: 400 Diesel - Take it or leave it? in reply to Big Joe, 09-27-2003 15:17:12  
Big Joe,

I bought a '56 400D a couple of years ago that my family uses for launching boats into a lake. After an initial ignition problem that turned out to be just a bad condenser, it's run very reliably. (In fact, I'm afraid it's more reliable than a '96 runabout with a modern Chevy engine and Volvo outdrive. How can a boat with less than 400 hours on it not work as well as a fifty year old tractor?!! Do I sound frustrated? Ah, but I digress...)

This was my first tractor project, and I was a little nervous about the complexity of the gas/diesel setup. It does take quite a few steps to start up and shut down the tractor, but now that I've got the process down, it's not hard at all. And besides, throwing that compression lever forward while giving it the throttle is a real hoot -- that big 'ol diesel fires up, belches out some smoke, and everyone nearby knows you're driving some red power!

The fuel delivery systems are pretty straightforward. On the gas side, you've got a very simple carburator. So simple, in fact, that it will only idle the engine...it has no throttle control...just a choke. The diesel side does have a couple of fuel filters and a sediment bowl...all of which need to have good gaskets on 'em or they'll leak. I don't think my injector pump has been touched for years, and it seems to be good order, even though the fuel pressure gauge doesn't register.

Feel free to email me with specific questions. Have fun!

- David

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Jimmy King

09-28-2003 08:33:06




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 Re: 400 Diesel - Take it or leave it? in reply to Big Joe, 09-27-2003 15:17:12  
Had a 400D from 1971 to 1982 lot of raw power and smoke. Pulled a 7ft. roam offset plow and a 8ft. Tailerway plowing disc with two hedge corner post on it. Like the other post said always switch back to gas and run for a few mins to equalize temp. in head. This type eng. was used for a long time. My dad was born in 1914 he had told me about going with Granddad when they were trying out an IHC crawler pulling a grader on the 8 mile road disc when he was just a boy he said he sat on the hood and held onto the exaust pipe. Many times I have taken the muffler off the 400 with it running with just a pair of gloves on.

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TD9Crawler

09-27-2003 20:42:41




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 Re: 400 Diesel - Take it or leave it? in reply to Big Joe, 09-27-2003 15:17:12  
We have had several IHC gas start diesels. They were all quite maintenance free and very reliable. We would generally switch back to gas and let it idle a few minutes before shutting it down each time. There were always easy starting and very fuel efficient. Keep clean fuel in them and don't overheat them.



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Bill L Md

09-27-2003 16:52:26




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 Re: 400 Diesel - Take it or leave it? in reply to Big Joe, 09-27-2003 15:17:12  
Big Joe, My Grandfather had a 400D back in the sixties, worked real well, mowed a couple hundred acres with it every week (had a M also,this was on a horse farm)put a snow blower on the front,for winter time use.I do not recall my father or grandfather complaining about it at all as far as reliability,but I do recall my Grandfather raising the roof when Dad would switch from gas over to diesel while the tractor was still in side the equipment barn,it would smoke every body out,I do remember that complaint.

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