Hard Starting 350, etc.

[squarede]

Thanks all for your help. Now I have a plan.

[thomastractorsvc]

I don't like to use ether. I think the engines get addicted to starting fluid and won't start unless you give them a snort. (that's another post though). However, growing up in Northern Maine (my dad also anti-ether) we used a propane torch if the tractor did not have a plug in. Pop loose the top of the snorkel, light the torch and point inside. Works like a manifold heater.

On the side of caution to this method, make sure that your have enough space so you don't burn your filter if its paper or light the oil bath on fire. We had excellent results with both Diesel and Gas tractors.

I have a JD 440, the snorkel is right at the back so while I am cranking I can hold the torch. Today is the first time I had to use any starting aid. Like Stan's story, she would just puff smoke and not catch, so I went to the garage grabbed the propane torch, popped the snorkel cap cranked her again and she fired up after about 5-8 seconds of cranking. (Now I know there may be some disbelievers out there that it was warm from the previous cranking but it was about 10 minutes later when I returned. Whatever heat was generated by the previous cranking I would have to say would be negligible.) The torch was pointed down the snorkel about 10-15 seconds prior to the cranking.

When I was trying to start her it was 13 degrees in the sun (I was in the pole barn) and the tractor had sat since last weekend. So cold that the Bar and Chain oil for the saw was thicker than honey and would not pour.

[squarede]

Now THATS one I haven't heard before, and I'm sure it would help; however, I think I want to stay away from introducing fire into the engine.
I did find a Kats 1000w tank heater on Amazon.com w/ free shipping for $32.81. Less than 1/2 the price of the local parts shop.
I'm going to take Lavoy's advice and put one in.

[Lavoy]

I can easily believe that a torch would do that. The manifold heater on our HD3 Allis is only the size of a spark plug. Say for the sake of arguement that it pulls 30 amps of power, at 12 volts, that is 360 watts, which is a little over 1000 BTU's of heat. A propane torch should be doing double or triple that. Granted you heat for a while before cranking, but still only heating a small amount of air. I had never thought of using a torch before now, but will not forget it now either.
lavoy

[gcgrant]

How about not lighting the torch, just letting the propane gas suck in. Would it fire up? At least in the gas pots? It would solve the cold weather lack of vaporization of the fuel.