David Brown 880 glow plug retrofit?

[Ian1523]

Hi I have recently bought a 1970 David Brown 880 which is struggling to start in the cold Swedish winter. When I tried to check the glow plug in the air inlet manifold it does not exist.

I had adduced that it switched off the key but now know it looks like it never had a switch wiring or glow plug.

Can I/should I retrofit this into the blank in the air inlet manifold? See picture

Thanks In advance
Ian

 

[agrimax]

You could do and then either T into the injector excess return line or add a reservoir to supply the plug with fuel.
Are you using the manual excess fuel tap on the inj pump for cold starts?

 

[Alchad]

Hi,

Might be an idea to check out this group on Facebook

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In the files section there are manuals, parts lists etc for virtually all DB's including the 880. I had a quick look at the manual for the 880 and it says in cold weather you need to screw in a wing nut on the injector pump (as Agrimax mentioned). Google reckons you can buy a heater for the 880 so I guess that would be an option, again the Facebook Forum might help for full details of how to do it.

 

[Netherfield]

DB 3 cylinder engines when used with the excess fuel device usually start easily, now that's in the UK.

@ACEngineering might come and say you've got a lazy starter motor or bad connections and he could well be right.

This would do the job although you may need a different ignition switch or a separate push button and a little wiring.

https://www.davidbrownparts.com/product-page/engine-heater-plug-kit.

I've read somewhere that all DB Scandinavian tractors after 1972 had block heaters fitted.

 

[Boohoo]

As said the screw on the injector pump is the first thing to aid starting.
Is the plug in the manifold an ether plug or a blank plug? The ether plug has felt underneath it that you soak in ether to aid starting in cold weather. This is a picture from my 885 parts book

As far as I know a thermostart was never an option on the 880, but fitting one is simple. It was optional on the 885 and the 2 different set ups are shown in this picture

Hopefully the plug in the manifold will be the same thread as later models, ⅞ unf. I'd recommend an Iskra plug, I have them in both of our 996s. You'll need a key switch with a heat position and either the reservoir or a coil of pipe to hold the diesel.

 

[Bald n Grumpy]

Find an inlet manifold from an 885 or later 3cylinder dB with the plug in the side not in the top as you have, the ether plug you have will not take a thermostart plug and I believed the plug works better going in from the side not the top .T into the leak off pipe from the injectors and either have a reservoir or coil of pipe to feed diesel to thermostart then all you need is a heavy wire from the key switch to thermostart assuming your switch has the heat setting or change for one that dose

 

[ACEngineering]

DB 3 cylinder engines when used with the excess fuel device usually start easily, now that's in the UK.

@ACEngineering might come and say you've got a lazy starter motor or bad connections and he could well be right.

This would do the job although you may need a different ignition switch or a separate push button and a little wiring.

https://www.davidbrownparts.com/product-page/engine-heater-plug-kit.

I've read somewhere that all DB Scandinavian tractors after 1972 had block heaters fitted.

Well of cause, no amount of mesing with glow plugs or excess fuel cold start devices are going to compensate for a bad starter motor system not cranking engine fast enough in the first place. Cranking speed is the very first thing that needs to be right on any engine when starting it.

 

[Ian1523]

Thanks for the advice all. I have tried the cold start screw on the pump but it has zero effect so I will strip that down in the summer when it warms up a bit. New battery and then starter motor brushes/refurb if that does not fix it.

Awesome help
Thanks

 

[Bald n Grumpy]

The thermostart heater would be a benefit even with a refurbished starter and new battery, I find batteries and starters last longer using heat in the colder weather.
Incidentally I've been told by many over the years that the 3cylinder dB engines that started easily would not pull as well as those that needed cranking more to start

 

[Boohoo]

The thermostart heater would be a benefit even with a refurbished starter and new battery, I find batteries and starters last longer using heat in the colder weather.
Incidentally I've been told by many over the years that the 3cylinder dB engines that started easily would not pull as well as those that needed cranking more to start

Probably due to timing more than anything. Advance the timing a bit and they pull better but are harder to start and take longer to clear their throat when cold.