Parts for a Ford D-Series

[Benjaminpalma]

Parts for old 1960's and 1970's Ford Tractors? Easy to find, and cheap.

Parts for identical 1960's and 1970's Ford D-Series industrial engines (I have two which form the basis of boat engines)? Impossible to find, unless you know which tractor or combine harvester they were in...

Can anyone help?

Thanks.

[v64paul]

Widen your seach to include construction plant. Have you got the 6 clyinder or the 4 cylinder? The range of engines is generically known as Dorset and were pretty widely used in dumpers. cranes welding/gen sets, compressors etc. what are you looking for in particular?

[Benjaminpalma]

Thanks for your reply.

It’s a 6-cylinder, turbocharged engine.

Yes, I’ve discovered they were used in things like Barber Greene Asphalt Finishers and Barford Road Rollers, but I can’t find an obvious source for these parts.

The tractors are listed by make and model, but I can’t seem to find out which tractors used 6-cylinder Dorset engines – which would make finds spares much easier!

One unit is seized solid and will need rebuilding – new pistons, liners, etc. The other I’d like to service fully and replace as many gaskets, hoses etc as possible.

Once they are back in the boat, they’re not easy to access to fix.

[RW774]

I think that engine was used in the Ford Cargo if it helps. Should be plenty of these in the breakers.

[hidetheelephants]

mermaid marinised dorsets for 20-odd years, and I believe they still do rebuilds, so spares should be no problem.

[anonymous-user]

Reminds me of my mate's dad, who worked for Ford in the 50's/60's. We were in his garage one day, and he pulled out this old rusty hunk of metal.

"Do ya know what that is, Boy?"

"Er, no?"

"That's a brake assemble tool for a D series truck! Don't get many of them nowadays"

"Er, thanks Rog!"

That quote has stayed with me for years, and I still chuckle whenever I think of it! Quality crazy old man.

[Benjaminpalma]

Great suggestions, folks.

The Cargo “Dover” engine was the updated version. Almost the same, but different here and there – so it’s all a bit hit-and-miss. And as the fiddle is getting the engines in and out of the boat then I want to use new pieces if I can…

I’m trying to avoid using Mermaid and going for an agricultural source if I can (but good last resort) – marine suppliers tend to add a substantial uplift – these parts can cost very little or a great deal, depending on where you go... on the basis that boat owners are seen as rich whereas farmers are not.

[Huntsman]

Benjaminpalma said:

Great suggestions, folks.

The Cargo “Dover” engine was the updated version. Almost the same, but different here and there – so it’s all a bit hit-and-miss. And as the fiddle is getting the engines in and out of the boat then I want to use new pieces if I can…

I’m trying to avoid using Mermaid and going for an agricultural source if I can (but good last resort) – marine suppliers tend to add a substantial uplift – these parts can cost very little or a great deal, depending on where you go... on the basis that boat owners are seen as rich whereas farmers are not.

Mermaid are one of the most reasonable around, you might try ASAP supplies in Suffolk too.

Best bet for info on where else used I reckon would be the motor boat forum on YBW.com

I have perkins 6.354's in mine, most common use seems to be combine harvesters, there is a local to me chain of commercial vehicle spares dealers called Commercial Components

http://www.commercialcomponents.co.uk/

Bloke in the Portsmouth shop is very handy, give him a call with serial numbers and he might be able to help.

Who marinised them? Lehman? Mermaid? Sabre? DIY?

what boat is it?

I've asked a chap I know about the dorset block vehicles.

Edited by Huntsman on Thursday 27th August 11:05

[Huntsman]

Knowledgeable chap said

"Ford D Series trucks from around 1964 to early 1970’s. Plus of course the R Series coach and bus chassis. Transitioned to Dover when the Ford Cargo came out, however early Ford Cargo had hybrid motor which was a Dover/Dorset.

Until the mid 70’s The R Series coach used the vertical engine whereas trucks from D onwards always the slant engine."

[Benjaminpalma]

Huntsman said:

Benjaminpalma said:

Great suggestions, folks.

The Cargo “Dover” engine was the updated version. Almost the same, but different here and there – so it’s all a bit hit-and-miss. And as the fiddle is getting the engines in and out of the boat then I want to use new pieces if I can…

I’m trying to avoid using Mermaid and going for an agricultural source if I can (but good last resort) – marine suppliers tend to add a substantial uplift – these parts can cost very little or a great deal, depending on where you go... on the basis that boat owners are seen as rich whereas farmers are not.

Mermaid are one of the most reasonable around, you might try ASAP supplies in Suffolk too.

Best bet for info on where else used I reckon would be the motor boat forum on YBW.com

I have perkins 6.354's in mine, most common use seems to be combine harvesters, there is a local to me chain of commercial vehicle spares dealers called Commercial Components

http://www.commercialcomponents.co.uk/

Bloke in the Portsmouth shop is very handy, give him a call with serial numbers and he might be able to help.

Who marinised them? Lehman? Mermaid? Sabre? DIY?

what boat is it?

I've asked a chap I know about the dorset block vehicles.

Edited by Huntsman on Thursday 27th August 11:05

Great! I'll give Commercial Components a whirl.

They were marinised by Thornycroft. I think (as the usual ID space on the top of the block is blank) that they're 2704ET models - probably as old as the boat - which is from 1973. They have Holset Turbochargers and charge air coolers. They sound great... when they're working!

[Huntsman]

What is wrong with them?

[Benjaminpalma]

Huntsman said:

What is wrong with them?

Due to a failure of one of the charge air coolers, seawater entered three cylinders, but this was not discovered for a few weeks. Seized solid. I want to overhaul them both now for my own piece of mind - distances are large here in the Med and the waters unpredicatble - esp. in the Western Med.

[Huntsman]

Benjaminpalma said:

Due to a failure of one of the charge air coolers, seawater entered three cylinders, but this was not discovered for a few weeks. Seized solid. I want to overhaul them both now for my own piece of mind - distances are large here in the Med and the waters unpredicatble - esp. in the Western Med.

Oh, pants, ouch.

I think you might find it more cost effective to re-engine with something more modern.

A B series cummins can be had from a Leyland DAF truck for 500 quid, 700 buys all the bits to rebuild, 2000 buys the marinising kit. Can deliver 180 hp reliably without a charge cooler.

Would be well worth a call to Mike Wills marine in Poole, they look after most of the Fairey Huntsman and Swordsman in the Solent area, many of which are running old Fords, Mike knows old Fords inside out, as of course do Mermaid.

I remember someone on the YBW mobo forum had a couple of spare pairs of Fords.

How many HP were yours? (not many with Holsets I guess)

Edited by Huntsman on Friday 28th August 13:36

Edited by Huntsman on Friday 28th August 13:37

[Benjaminpalma]

They should be 180hp each when all running properly.

I've thought about re-engining, but everything's set up for the Fords - plus they sound great IMHO!

The local New Holland place here may be able to do the rebuilds if I can the parts, and bit by bit I'm finding the right (agricultural) sources - it just shows that it pays to shop around with these things...