Ford 3000

I am more of a boat guy and basically know nothing about tractors. My wife and I recently aquired some land and it came with a diesel, Ford 3000 tractor. It appears to be quite rough but will start & run. It smokes quite badly and I am sure it could use some work.

I know it is hard to diagnose based on my very limited information but I am trying to figure out if it is worth loading up, taking to a shop and spending some money on or if I should just buy another used tractor to use. The person we got the land from said the tractor needs new rings and he doesn't know what else. I will mainly be riding around with a bushhog on this 25 acres to reduce mesquite tree growth, etc..

It is in the Madisonville Texas area.

Markings on the right side show:
C 5 NN 7006 BV (or BY) below that I see a date in 1968 and I assume it is that year model.

Thoughts? Is it worth spending some $ on?

Thanks,

I have 40 year old tractors and after picking up on Sea Foam from a boating site, I gave my engines a bath in it; like a whole 16 oz can to a tank of diesel and did it a couple of times. Also, I have used diesel additives, and Marvel Mystery oil for years.

But this stuff was amazing. It cleaned up my exhaust and has made cranking very easy cause, for one thing, it eliminates carbon in the combustion chamber and carbon clogs your injectors and rings.

Try it, you won't be sorry and it is one heck of a lot cheaper than an overhaul.

Biggest thing on a diesel to determine overhaul requirements, is how well does it start when the temp is 70F or above. If it kicks right off, you are in good shape. If you need ether at that temp you are dead meat....BTDT

The year is correct. They started making that 3 cyl in '65 and it is one tough, fuel efficient engine.

Need more, ask,

Mark

Thanks again.

Just like older houses, cars, and trucks, gotta go into it with eyes wide open.

Having said all that, the 3000s have a reputation for being durn near bulletproof, esp. with the 8 spd trans. Parts are readily available and much you can do yourself with just a normal complement of tools and some skill...and knowledge from the folks on this board.

HTH

#1.. change the oil / filter.

#2 change the air filter / fuel filter.

#3 get a manual OP gauge on it to see what you have for pressure. If you have good pressure, get a comp test done.. a ring or ring and main bearing job shouldn't eat your pocketbook too bad.

soundguy

secondly get a new tank of diesel fuel.. drain the old fuel and add new. then add a can of super commercial grade injector cleaner like bg 44k or equivelent.. dont just get the cheap stuff at the auto parts, get the really good cleaner from a diesel injection place or automotive shop. Then run the tractor at different speeds taking care not to idle it for long times and not to lug it but a good load is ok at 1600 to 2000 rpm for about 10 hours... of work... by then the engine will have pretty much freed up and cleaned up as much as it can.. check for how easy it starts cold, how much it smokes, how much blow by...

lots of old tractors can be "cleaned up" and you will be amazed how much they can come back from clogged injectors and gumed up rings... modern diesel motor oil will clean and suspend the sediments and will over time completely clean up the engine. this clean up process can cause leakage of gaskets if they are worn out and only the gunk is sealing them up... modern diesel oil will actually eat up gaskets with silicon in them so gaskets from the late 60s and early 70s had to be replaced in some cases...due to high silicon content in the gaskets being leached out by the newer oils as document by cummins...

if it still doesnt suit you, rebuild it or sell it... hth.. bill

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