Ford "D" Series Water in Engine

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Simes

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Hi Folks,

Well a failed seacock and we have an Engine full of sea water. The water has been sucked out and replaced with lots of diesel oil. THe sump has also been sucked dry and filled with diesel oil. The seacock has been fixed and a new raw water in and out system.
The question is . . . what if the good old motor will not fire up?
A diesel engineer has suggested that we may be able to find a "Short" engine, a non marinised 4 cylinder Ford "D" series, strip all of the marine bits off the old engine and fit to the new one.
Please does anyone have any ideas about where I might find a "Short" Ford "D" series engine?

I would really like a new one (short engine) but this is probably unlikely, does any one still make/ stock these? Lehman, Mermaid, Lancing all seem to have ceased these engines.

Many thanks for any help you are able to give.

Simes
 
IMHO these are a tough old engine. I would try and fire it up and see how it runs - probably wise to do another oil and filter change after running it for a while. Failing that you would probably be better off having your old unit overhauled. As far as I know most bits are available. The sea water would only affect the bottom end and the oil pump - so overhaul costs would be a lot less than a new or even s/h unit. It may need a sniff of easy start etc initially to get it going - but don't make a habit of it - as it will damage the engine if used regularly. Good luck!
 
No major reason it won't fire up unless the fuel system has become contaminated with water. The main problem, unless you have already taken care of it, is that the engine won't turn over because the rings have rusted to the bores. Some persuasion may be needed but don't go crazy. Try barring the engine over with a long lever, if this fails you may need to take the head off and tap each piston gently to get them moving. The main thing is to do it ASAP, the longer you leave it the worse it will get.

Then run it until well warmed up, change the oil and do it again.
 
Speaking as someone who had their Ford 1.6 diesel submerged for three days and managed to salvage all bar starter and alternator. You are lucky that the water is unlikley to have got to the sump. Best to drain and change oil anyway.

Remove injectors. Crank the engine for abut 10 sec to throw out any excess water from the cylinders. Spray in plenty of wd 40. Crank again for 5 sec.

Replace injectors and bleed system. Crank for a couple of secs. Heater plugs on and fire up. No guarentee but was fine for me.

Since my engine had been submerged for three days I changed the oil several times. Ran the engine untill hot, about 1 hour to drive out the remaining moisture. I then ran the engine hot each day for several days. I then removed the engine in my case to completly clean and flush the bellhousing and coupling.

You are unlikley to have done any real damage.
 
If your engine is scuppered, the same engine was fitted to Fordson Major tractor and several Thames trucks. If you are really stuck, I have a spare in my container, but not sure of condition
 
Ford "D" Series

Thanks for all of your kind words. As I said in the OP I have replaced all of the sea water with Diesel and plan to turn it over on Thursday (next day off).

It Sounds as if I have done the right thing, difficult to know until you get it wrong!

Mr Bobolinsky, Many thanks for you kind offer, I may well take you up on it!

Many thanks folks,

I will post on Thursday / Friday to let you know how I get on.

Regards

Simes
 
I've known at least two of these still running after being at the bottom of the sea: don't worry about it. You may have to replace ancilliary bits. A car engine tuner once told me they leave a block outside to get a bit rusty, then polish it up, the microscopic pits in the bores hold oil. Not sure about that one.
 
fisherman said:
I've known at least two of these still running after being at the bottom of the sea: don't worry about it. You may have to replace ancilliary bits. A car engine tuner once told me they leave a block outside to get a bit rusty, then polish it up, the microscopic pits in the bores hold oil. Not sure about that one.
Click to expand...


For very highly tuned racing engines it is quite true. They select an engine that has done a lot of miles, strip it and put the block outside for 12 months or so.

The temp changes anneal the iron and make the block stronger. The hone makes the ridges for oil retention in the cylinder though.
 
Simes said:
Hi Folks,

Well a failed seacock and we have an Engine full of sea water. The water has been sucked out and replaced with lots of diesel oil. THe sump has also been sucked dry and filled with diesel oil. The seacock has been fixed and a new raw water in and out system.
The question is . . . what if the good old motor will not fire up?
A diesel engineer has suggested that we may be able to find a "Short" engine, a non marinised 4 cylinder Ford "D" series, strip all of the marine bits off the old engine and fit to the new one.
Please does anyone have any ideas about where I might find a "Short" Ford "D" series engine?

I would really like a new one (short engine) but this is probably unlikely, does any one still make/ stock these? Lehman, Mermaid, Lancing all seem to have ceased these engines.


Many thanks for any help you are able to give.

Simes
Click to expand...

D series had Ford Dorset and Perkins engines fitted, depending on model.

When I used to be an HGV techie looking after a fleet of 90 odd Ford Cargo's, I used to source a lot of secondhand bits including engines from The Yorkshire Cargoman in Castleford.

The Ford Cargo 0813 also had the Dorset engine fitted.


EDIT: sorry, never took in the 4 cylinder bit, all the D series I ever worked on had 6 cyls. Think the Cargo 0809 or 0811 had a four cylinder lump, but can't say for sure.
 
Last edited:
Perhaps I was not Clear?

Hi Folks, When I said "D" Series, I was talking about a Ford Dorset or Dover "D" Series Engine. I do remember the old Ford D Series Truck though.

My E-Bay search did not turn one up, I must try harder.

Thanks Again, Simes
 
Simes said:
Hi Folks, When I said "D" Series, I was talking about a Ford Dorset or Dover "D" Series Engine. I do remember the old Ford D Series Truck though.

My E-Bay search did not turn one up, I must try harder.

Thanks Again, Simes
Click to expand...


If I recall from a lot of beer filled years ago, the Dorset and Dover engines looked very similar but many bits were not interchangeable between the two, so be careful what you buy and make sure exactly what your engine is.

Can't remember if the Dorset became the Dover or the other way around.
 
Ford 4 Pots

Tinkicker,

You know your stuff, however time clouds memory.

Old Ford Thames Trader had original Ford 4 & 6D. Ford. D Series had the Dorset 2701-12 in 4 pot form, different front gear case. Ford Cargo had Dover 2722 in 4 pot. There were some Dorset/Dover hybrids in early Cargos.

Old motors are a money pit, parts becoming difficult and expensive for anything older than the Dover version. The engine on Ebay is a Dorset...Out of the frying pan into the fire!
Some Dorset pistons are now over £100 each.

If Simes has a 4D, could be from 50's early 60's it needs giving a permanent rest, boating is about leasure not pain and filthy hands.
 
I agree,

She who must said last night that if the D series is a dead un', then we get a new engine. I do like the new JCB444, Mermaid are doing a Marinisation job on it that might be worth while.

Likewise Lancing do a number of New Engines that will fit the gaps left by the old D series.

Thanks for your input,

Simes
 
I've got the 300-odd page workshop manual as a pdf. PM with your email address if you want it - as well as the parts list, etc. I paid for the manual, but I don't see why others should have to...

I've got a seized 6-cyl Dorset-type, too.

Good luck!
 
While we're talking about seized D-series Fords, does anyone know of a tractor or truck restorer or workshop that deals with these as tractor or truck engines, rather than ripping off the customer because he owns a 'yacht'...?
 
Ford replacement

JCB 444 marinised by Mermaid is a good motor, Crude New Holland four pots, then add Lancing Fred Flitstone marinisation with old bits of copper plumbing tube, no no no..

John Deere 4045 is a lovely motor, very attractive price downside is guess what, sold by Barrus...
 
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