Series 2 1965 restoration, Diesel engine won't start

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youmitegetian said:
so I'm restoring a 2a, it's stripped down to a rolling chassis with the engine and box in,
I want to make sure the engine runs before removing it (I'm told it hasn't been run for a lot of years)
It has oil and there was lots of red diesel in the tank, (it was used at a banger track)
I've tried to start it, it turns over freely with the starter but it won't start, I've cracked the injectors and am getting diesel through although maybe not enough, as I only want to check it starts I tried easy start,( I know I know, but I will change glowplugs when I get to the engine detailing part of the resto)
But it still won't start, I've never used easy start but thought it didn't need the heater plugs to work or even diesel just to get it to fire but I get nothing. Any thoughts?
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Best bet would be to tow it with a tractor and a chain. If they are injecting, they pretty much always start after a few hundred yards tow in second gear high.
 
Bobsticle said:
You can simply wire them across a 12v battery to test them but they get very hot very quick. The bigger question is what sort are they and how are they wired. This is more confusing than it sounds. A photo would be good at this point. They may not be wired properly so may not work when in the engine.
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A long time ago I asked a friend to hold a couple of plugs so I could test them with a battery. He got very angry with me but I couldn't stop laughing.
 
So.... tried the blow torch, didn't start, but did chuff and smoke a bit and almost fired so I reckon some new 12v glowplugs might do the trick. They arent expensive so I've ordered some. Seems like they are worth using rather than the original type. Fingers crossed
 
It said it's a conversion to 12v so I was going to give them a direct 12v feed, you think I would still need the resistor?
I need to check the injectors are working as well. Any ideas? I was going to leave them out but connected and see if I get spray from them all. Messy but at least I'll know
 
youmitegetian said:
It said it's a conversion to 12v so I was going to give them a direct 12v feed, you think I would still need the resistor?
I need to check the injectors are working as well. Any ideas? I was going to leave them out but connected and see if I get spray from them all. Messy but at least I'll know
Click to expand...

If it starts, they are working. If it runs, and you want to use it, pull them out and take them to get them tested.
 
Well it's a lot of welding away from being used but wanted to make sure the engine runs before removing it. I was going to strip it down and paint it but didn't want to do an entire rebuild.
Incidentally anyone know what colour the Diesel engines were painted at the factory? Might as well paint it the original colour before it goes back in the truck
 
youmitegetian said:
Well it's a lot of welding away from being used but wanted to make sure the engine runs before removing it. I was going to strip it down and paint it but didn't want to do an entire rebuild.
Incidentally anyone know what colour the Diesel engines were painted at the factory? Might as well paint it the original colour before it goes back in the truck
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If it starts and runs OK, it probably is. They are pretty simple things. Worth getting the injectors checked, and serviced if needed, before use. They are often neglected, and can do damage if they fail under heavy engine load.
 
Yeah that was the plan. Make sure it starts and isn't knackered then strip it down and get injectors fuel pump and other parts reconditioned and get it all cleaned up and painted while all the other work is being done. Realistically it'll be months before I'm ready for the engine to go back in so plenty of time to get stuff sorted. Just need to make sure the bugger runs first.
 
youmitegetian said:
Well it's a lot of welding away from being used but wanted to make sure the engine runs before removing it. I was going to strip it down and paint it but didn't want to do an entire rebuild.
Incidentally anyone know what colour the Diesel engines were painted at the factory? Might as well paint it the original colour before it goes back in the truck
Click to expand...
The colour is often called "Duck egg blue" but some people get upset when this term is used.

Have a look at the paint man website - he sells stuff that is made by HMG so you might be able to get the same engine paint from elsewhere...

A few pictures from my project showing the paint in different light =>

1965-series-2a-station-wagon-masking-replacement-head2-jpg.106128


1965-series-2a-station-wagon-head-painted1-jpg.106175


1965-series-2a-station-wagon-engine-block-first-coat-of-blue2-jpg.109242
 
I did think about blasting it as I have a friend who does that for a job but hadn't planned on a total strip down. Tempted to leave the head in place, did you paint the head the same colour?
 
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