1958 Ford 5000 won't start...

cds1987 · Mar 25, 2010

I have a 1958 Ford 5000. I haven't run it much this winter but I did crank it up a few times so it wouldn't give me trouble when it started getting warmer.

I attempted to crank it up the other day and it started turning over then stopped. I looked the battery and the cables were melting and smoke was coming out of the starter.

To me it seems like it could simply be that the starter froze up. But I was wondering if it could be that the crankshaft is broken. I don't remember hearing any sort of noise that was out of the ordinary so I don't believe that it is.

If a broken crankshaft is a possible answer to my problem, is there an easy way to tell? I am just frustrated and need some troubleshooting help.

NWMO 901 SOS · Mar 25, 2010

(quoted from post at 12:03:13 03/25/10) I have a 1958 Ford 5000. I haven't run it much this winter but I did crank it up a few times so it wouldn't give me trouble when it started getting warmer.

I attempted to crank it up the other day and it started turning over then stopped. I looked the battery and the cables were melting and smoke was coming out of the starter.

To me it seems like it could simply be that the starter froze up. But I was wondering if it could be that the crankshaft is broken. I don't remember hearing any sort of noise that was out of the ordinary so I don't believe that it is.

If a broken crankshaft is a possible answer to my problem, is there an easy way to tell? I am just frustrated and need some troubleshooting help.

cds,

Might clarify year and model along with fuel type. If it's a 5000 it was built after 1964. Make sure you have a well charged battery and bright clean connections. If you were smoking the cables, that would lead me to believe they are undersized (not uncommon, even on my own tractor) or your starter went south and shorted out or finally, your motor locked up for some reason overloading the starter (doesn't seem very likely).

I can't imagine you are looking at a crank problem, but check your oil and get a breaker bar on the front and see if you can turn by hand or, if it's not an SOS, you should be able to put it in a high gear and give a little pull to turn it over.

chris

cds1987 · Mar 25, 2010

I'm sorry... '58 Ford 4000 diesel. I am unsure of complete specs. It is actually my grandfather's. I am taking care of farm because he's getting a little old. He actually has a copy of the original manual which I've been meaning to find.

I love the old girl though. She's a beast. It's old and I know that we are well past due for an update; but I'd rather have the luxury of taking my time to buy a new tractor.

I'll tinker around with it a bit and see what I can come up with. I will get back to you though. Thank you!

ggodin · Mar 31, 2010

I'd be suspicious that the ground is corroded at either end of the ground cable. Sometimes corrosion will infect the ends of the ground cable and can be remedied by wire brushing the wires (after spreading them apart) or tossing

john_Bud · Mar 31, 2010

The 4000's weren't available in '58.

is it a cylinder engine or a 3 cylinder engine?

Doesn't matter on your current problem, but will save you time and trouble when you try to buy parts.

I would take the starter out and have it bench tested at a starter / alternator repair shop. If it's bad, I'd have it repaired. The old cores are better than the modern ones, so getting a swap isn't a good deal.

Next winter, don't bother starting it. All that does is build up an excessive amount of moisture in the oil, wear the bearings and drain the battery down. You could put a charger on it with a timer and give it 5 hours of trickle charge amps once a month. I'd just take the ground connection off after charging the battery up fully and leave it till spring.

1958 Ford 5000 won't start...

cds1987

New User

NWMO 901 SOS

Well-known Member

cds1987

New User

ggodin

New User

john_Bud

Well-known Member

Similar threads