1959 440ICD Won't Start

[RidenHorse]

hehehe, I am going to get him to come out and look at it, But I am going to fix whatever the problem is. That's half the fun! I'll let ya know what he says.

[tuney443]

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 11:21 pm Post subject:
on the Dmax you're playing with a very expensive repair... ah ,
i wouldn't waste my time on a dudmax, just scrap it.
use the crawler and push it in a hole....along with the new owner of GM.
it'll give you that great GM feeling.....
as for the 440jimmy, one other hint,,,make sure the injectors are set at the right depth,
in previous posts this issue has come up.

Politics aside,there really is no reason whatsoever to turn an old JD crawler not starting thread into a Duramax bashing thread. Just in case you're not aware,who do you think is the manufacturer of our little Detroits? And if you're still listening,I get my great GM feeling when the 18 year old kid is alongside me on my pass. side with his rice burner with his 5'' exhaust tip and I drown him in my diesel smoke.Or maybe it's when I'm pulling one of my trailers loaded for bear up a steep hill as I pass a Power stroke or a Cummins struggling to keep up speed.

[JD440ICD2006]

"Politics aside,there really is no reason whatsoever to turn an old JD crawler not starting thread into a Duramax bashing thread."

Conversely, there is no reason to turn this in to a Powerstroke or Cummins bashing thread either.

All of them are good and strong when set up properly, all of them have had their share of problems, defects, and customer complaints. If you get a good one, you love it. But, if you get a bad one, you think one of the other two must be great.

In this country you can love whatever you drive. But like college football teams, it depends on which "season" you are talking about as to who the winner is at the time. And like football championships, it constanlty changes.

[Lavoy]

I would echo that sentiment, this is not a bashing board. If that is what you wish to do, do it elsewhere.
Lavoy

[tuney443]

You're absolutely right Lavoy,but for the record I wasn't bashing the other 2 diesels at all.All I said was I get that great GM feeling when I pass them--that's all.Both are excellent power plants,I just happen to be an avid Dmax owner and I won't stand for unfounded nonsense.It was completely uncalled for besides being a thread basher.Never thought I'd see stuff like that here.

[RidenHorse]

Back to the topic at hand..... LOL!!!

I went and got 14 feet of 2/0 welding cable today and 2 lug ends.... $40 not bad! I got 1/2 price on the cable cause they were at the end of the spool and only had 18 feet left!! I can't wait to get my starter back, hope it don't cost me a arm and a leg! Also, now I have 2 Detroit mechanics wanting to look at it, one just showed up at my door yesterday. Got word from a friend I had asked about the 2-53. Wow, never thought so many people would want to help! Updates as they occur....

[Lavoy]

I still wonder if you will find it is air in the system somewhere, let us know what you find out.
Lavoy

[JD440ICD2006]

On the starter, it depends on what fried. Could have been the solenoid, could have been brushes (they are cheap), could have been the armature. Are you sure it was not just in the wiring? Sometimes when you overload a starter, it will melt a wire or destroy a connection.
The old clamp type replacement ends to the battery are the worst to lose connetion and drive us crazy.
Keep us posted on the progress.

[RidenHorse]

I bought the new welding cable and ends for the battery just as a PM measure. I took the starter cover off the back, and the armature and brushes were toast, cracked and falling apart with metal debris everywhere. The guy I took it to I have known since I was a kid, he is prob about 60 now, and got his electric motor exp. in the Navy. He owns a large electric motor shop in town. He charges a lot sometimes, but he makes the parts himself if he can't obtain them. I know he will do a great job. I think they will have it done next week..... We shall see....

[RidenHorse]

It took me long enough, but I got the starter rebuilt for $500. I got the guy to come over and look at it and he said that the rings are more then likely broken. He suggested a engine rebuild with sleeves rings etc... Does anyone have any suggestions on what else to do while I have this apart? I saw on Ebay where they are selling a "in frame kit".

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Detroit- ... ccessories

I remember someone saying there is updated seals/pins for the blower. Does anyone have the information on where I can obtain these?

Do I need to ask the seller which type pistons this kit contains? I also remember someone saying something about 2 different types.

Thanks

[JD440ICD2006]

Very typical, that site does not have the best pricing. Search the web, there are a number of outlets for inframe rebuild kits and they are $40 or more cheaper.
Unless you know the engine is low time, I think I would spend the extra time and money and do a complete rebuild. Why have to risk going in to it again?
Do not order anything until the engine is out and you know what the crank measures, etc. Also, go ahead and replace the cam bushings. Just good insurance.
If the engine is stock, it should have "S-35" injectors. The kit that you want is called the "N" kit. (little tag on the side of the injector)

[shinnery]

When you get the engine back together and start priming the fuel system, on my 440ICD/831 the filter is below the tank. Just remove the screw from the top of the filter housing and it will gravity fill the filter, no need for ATF or anything else. I let all the air out, put the screw back in and then crank the engine to get fuel to the injectors. You could pull the valve cover and loosen a fuel line at the injector to get all the air out but I have never had to do that. You also mentioned all six valve rocker arms moving, there are four exhaust valves and the center rocker for each cylinder is actually the injector mechanism.
Bryce

[RidenHorse]

Yeah, after I got the manuals on CD from a guy on here and read up a little I found out about the valves etc... Needless to say, this John Deere is older then I am

I did just purchase a JD tractor, waiting on it to come from PA on a semi. 1985

[chartelltractor]

One thing for sure gentlemen, from an OLD DETROIT GUY, if you prime the fuel filter with ATF or anything else other than diesel on a detroit you stand a very good chance of blowing an injector tip right off especially on the "N" injectors. Lets all love our diesels no matter what brand they are, I have 2 cummins, 1 cat and now a 2-53 detroit, love'm all, cummins is best fuel milage, cat is more power on the bigger engines, not sure about the 2 banger yet as I havent worked it so far.

[RidenHorse]

I am getting bored again, figured I should start looking at this crawler again. I have yet to do anything to it. Where should I start to re-diagnose this? I just want to start fresh and make sure I am not overlooking anything simple.

Thanks