For some time now, we have wanted to get the pump working on the Fordson, but there have always been other priorities. Additionally, we have had starting problems (6V starter and 6V dynamo on a 12V system), and overheating problems as well. Oh yes, and it doesn’t have a proper windscreen. So time to bite the bullet, and take the front to bits.
We have stripped down the priming system for the pump, and that should now work – there was so much paint on it, things were stuck solid. As the pump is primed using vacuum from the inlet manifold, it is absolutely essential that, when the pump floods, no water gets into the manifold, or it will wreck the engine. So there is a float in a chamber that blocks the connection to the pump when the chamber is full. Then as a second line of defence, if the second chamber floods, it opens a vent to destroy the vacuum.
The pump is off, so that can be stripped, checked and repainted. The radiator has been acid-flushed, and is a lot clearer than before. The temperature gauge is away at Speedograph Richfield for the tube to the temperature bulb to be refitted and filled with alcohol. An alternator conversion kit, and a 12V starter motor have been ordered from a V8 pilot specialist in the States. And I am looking at removing the dashboard for painting and rewiring.
Whilst all this is off, I can remove the sump, and just check the bottom end (sincerely hoping that nothing needs doing here!), and then properly adjust the ignition timing, which I am sure is too retarded. Just as well we have finished our last show of the season.
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- The priming water trap before starting
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- The water trap again
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- The main trap
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- The cork float from inside the top chamber
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- The top chamber where the cork float lives
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- The radiator removed exposing the dynamo and distributor
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- The water trap stripped down
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- The complete water trap ready for painting
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- The Barton pump removed ready for stripping
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- The pump primer water trap
