Hard-starting Ford 4000

My first impulse was that it was a poor battery, so I went to Napa and got a $150 battery for it, just to be sure. It didn"t make a difference.

Now the tractor does have the huge straight english muffler that sits about 3ft above the hood with no cap. Would it be hard-starting due to water getting in the exhaust?

Thanks in adv.
--Tim

Ran fine just like you said. Redid all the start ckt including a new 5" starter, 950 cca size 31 battery and 00 gauge cables. Still nada.

Got a new manifold preheater and got everything working properly.....still nada.

Did an inframe overhaul and found the problem. The rings were gone; I mean I couldn't believe how worn they were nor that it could run as good as it did after it got started.

Kicks over in just a couple seconds now.

If you can get a diesel compression tester and test for roughly 500 psig cranking compression you'll have your answer.

Only other thing is clean and shiny contacts in the start circuit including the starter to engine interface (ground). Course as I remember the ground connects directly to the starter housing on the 3 cyl Fords....which is lots better. If tractor is not spinning fast that can be a problem.....but it won't make up for bad rings.....don't care how pretty it looks. Sorry,

Mark