Need advice on starting a 1965 371 that hasn't run for 15 years

[GerryR714]

I have a genset that I bought used in 1994 and between then and about 2001 I ran it 3 or 4 times but it hasn't been started since. What we've done is drain the lube oil, replace all 3 oil filters, replace the OEM fuel filter, drain the diesel fuel as best that we could and are in the process of replacing all the fuel hoses as @ 50+ years they were pretty rotten. When we drained the fuel tank the color was pretty dark brown and twice it stopped from crud but we poked a screw driver in the drain and got it flowing. The fuel tank is located low in the frame and removing it doesn't seem feasible, so we wondered what could be done. My thought was installing an after market 3 micron filter after the lift or transfer pump but ahead of everything else in the fuel system. I would add that the lube oil looked good and the last time it ran it was fine. Any thoughts and help is appreciated.

[CoyleJR]

I have several suggestions for things to check before attempting to start the DD 371. 1) Make sure that the emergency air shutoff has not been closed and conform that it still works incase the motor starts and then starts to runaway (you could need it). 2) Confirm that the rack is free and that the governor or injectors are not frozen. 3) Install a primer pump if you don't already have one. 4) Connect a temporary gravity feed fuel tank with fresh fuel.

The nice thing about an old DD, if it has air and fuel it will run. Let us know how the project progresses or ask if you have questions.

Good luck
John

[arveetek]

Confirm that the rack is free and that the governor or injectors are not frozen.

Yes! Make sure the fuel rack is free. I started a 671 that sat for a while, and it immediately went to "full throttle!" Very scary. I then learned about the sticking fuel rack on these engines.....

Casey