Ford 2000 Alternator Conversion and Gauge Pod Checkout

This is the follow up to this video where the actual work was performed to replace the original Lucas generator and gauge pod with standard gauges and Delco 3 wire alternator with LED charging notifier: • Ford 2000 Three Wire A... . In this video the procedure for a systematic checkout of such a major electrical change is gone through and discussed.
There is also a change added to the wiring diagram from this previous video where the wiring and component changes were drawn up and discussed: • Delco 3 Wire Alternato... . The neutral safety switch on the Hi-Lo range shifter had inadvertently been left out of the original drawing. Quickly after startup it can be seen plain as day the point at which the externally excited, internally regulated alternator begins its output mode as indicated by the LED going dark and the newly installed voltmeter jumping to the higher output voltage reading of approximately 14.7 volts.
By the end of the video, the viewer understands the full systematic approach to checking every component for proper operation. Its also imperative to ensure there are no coolant or oil leaks due to the additional work performed to install those particular 'off the shelf components'.
All that's left to putting the tractor back to work is mounting the sheet metal from the nosecone to the fuel tank...but wait...now I've got to find the other videos that were recorded for adding the Petronix Electronic Ignition module...and the video on servicing the Holly carburetor....and the video......

[@martinbenton742]

Great job! The one thing I like about old tractors and old pickups/cars, they are all "individuals, like people," getting them started and running/driving. Doc

[@tractorman4461]

I absolutely hate this series of Ford's electrics. So I like to simplify the situation by making the changes that can be replaced without OEM Ford parts. Thanks Martin for the comment.

[@tomwalker9184]

Tractor man 44 you sir a truly an AMAZING GENIUS ,any thing you set your mind to do gets done with prideful hands and mind. If everyone in the world was 1/2 as Good,CARING and Capable as you are, imagine how wonderful it would be. What does your wife feed you. You are truly a SUPERMAN.

[@tractorman4461]

Hahahahaha...Tom, I don't know where to begin my friend !! Thank you for the extremely complimentary comment...and I DO have to admit, she feeds me well. Must be the home butchered beef and pork.....?? I'm glad to see you enjoyed the video !!

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Wendell! Good call hooking that neutral switch back into the starting circuit so as to avoid chaos, death and destruction. The tractor’s sounding pretty good! Thanks for sharing!

[@tractorman4461]

Hey Martin, I found you in the spam folder with a few other good guys too !! I wonder what's going on with the comments. I click 'allow all comments' on every video. But yes, with kids around the neutral safety is a very good idea. I just missed it when I drew the diagram and didn't catch it until it was ready to fire up and check out. LOL Wotta dummy huh....

[@ishure8849]

G'day TM44, I just found your channel I've got some classic tractors down under I can't work out why our gasoline models faded out in the late fifties and we've been diesel ever since and yet you fellas persisted with them.

[@tractorman4461]

I surely have no answer on why there was such a wide split in the number of gas versus diesel fired units for sale over here. I think that evened out pretty much in the 90's as tractors and farms in general became larger in size. Back in the 50's and 60's there was hardly a diesel on any of the small farms in this area at all. Now, there's hardly a gas tractor even available for purchase new. I hope you find some other stuff to look at in the list of videos and thank you for stopping in for a visit.

[@roblong6518]

Whole heartily agree with the Pertronix electronic conversion! Should make your son a great little tractor! 👍

[@tractorman4461]

Thanks Rob, I hope so. I still have no idea what I didn't have perfectly correct with the Ford components but no matter what I did, it would NOT start in cold weather. And I am not a fan of blowing ether into them at all. I had two 4000's and a 3000 all with the Holley carbs like this one. I guess they are alright once a fellow gets used to them, but the old Zenith's and Marvel Sheblers were a lot simpler to work on.

[@1lilfarm]

Having a neutral safety switch hooked u with young ones around is always a good idea. Never know when they will be trying things on their own. Someone bypassed the neutral safety switch on my 8N before I got it. I'm not worried about hooking that one back up though. I'm the only one with a key and there aren't any curious little ones around the farm anymore. I really like the LED idea on the charging system. 👍👍👍

[@tractorman4461]

I couldn't believe I forgot that when I drew up the diagram !! LOL No matter, its only a problem if it can't be fixed right... The LED is first and foremost a diode, it just emits light as a side benefit. So when it lights up, its telling you 12v is going to terminal #1 to externally excite the alternator. Soon as the charging starts, the LED goes out because the higher output voltage overpowers the applied 12.7 volts and tries to go backward....but its stopped in its tracks at the diode because the diode will only allow flow in one direction. I know you probably know that, but maybe someone reading the comments can pick up something in the chat.

[@rockeerockey6941]

Tractorman44, just want you to know how much I enjoy your posts!

[@tractorman4461]

That's cool Rockee...I am glad to hear you enjoy the videos. Believe it or not, it takes a lot of work to get these things from recording through editing and uploading. Well, not really 'work', but its time consuming with the computer. Plus it literally doubles the time to do the work that gets done in the videos as well. Not complaining though... Comments like yours help make it feel worthwhile. LOL.

[@GPOutdoors]

Excellent stuff T! She's running like brand new. You have to feel great to have it running again and all working the way it should. I saw the treadmill in the background - now we know how you keep in such good shape - I thought it was from splitting all that firewood LOL! Thanks for taking us along T- Congrats! Looking forward to the following videos.

[@tractorman4461]

Hahahaha...GP, I'm actually quite allergic to working out, I prefer to be out working. LOL. That one is in the process of being dismantled so I can use the controller and drive motor for another project. The platform broke right in half from use by the previous owner. LOL....so no, I don't get much exercise beyond the workday. (-:

[@daveyjoweaver6282]

Wow! Another 44 episode to have with me fried spuds! I’m tippin me cuppaJO fer ser! You could take your diagram, repeat the pattern and make wall paper. A whole series of home decorating and home improvement! I can see Martha Stewart advertising the new 44 decorator series! Pictures of all your tractors with your picture in between? I’m sure Martha would surely do her house over with this trendy home improvement! How could she not? So Thanks my 44Friend! Greatly Appreciated! Now back to finding out how to fix my ignition switch on me Honda Element! Pic up our Amish friend that keeps I nice here in the Holler House and had to call a neighbor to take her home. Key goes in and out okay, goes one notch and no further! Sonzagunz! This is DaveyJO inna Holler

[@tractorman4461]

Now DaveyJO, that would surely make for some interesting wall paper. Remember back in the 70's when the craze was wallpaper made out of turn of the century Sears Roebucks catalog reprints ?? LOL My FIL's upstairs bathroom is still adorned with it. I'm at a loss on your ignition issue...but my 85 Ford F-250 ignition did pretty much the same thing. But a few bucks at O'Reillys fixed the issue. I'm sure your fancy Honda will be just a little more involved. Have a wunnerful day and another Starbuck's on me....LOL Won't be as good as DaveyJO's JO, but it'll do in a pinch.

[@regsparkes6507]

Good and 'good looking' job here Trantorman! I wish they could have all been built this way, at least you've shown us how to convert ours to this better system. I do like that bright light.

[@tractorman4461]

Well Reg, I don't know if its necessarily a better way, but it IS a way to get past overpriced dealership repair parts and utilize 'over the counter' parts from just about any auto parts store. The only bad thing is the tach drive is eliminated, but there IS a company that manufactures tach drives that go directly on the back end of the new Delco alternator if you want to keep a working tach on the tractor. I've not had a tach yet on three Ford/Lucas conversions that worked. LOL

[@regsparkes6507]

@@tractorman4461 Couldn't you buy an 'aftermarket' Tachometer to run on the coil ignition for that engine? You are too modest,.... any time you can get rid of a Lucas system and it works, then it just gotta be a better way! Hahaha!

[@tractorman4461]

@@regsparkes6507 Oh heck yeah that's the simple solution. I even have one on the old 85 F-250. I think I was trying to infer that those that want to keep the original gauge pod and gauges that work, but want to eliminate the Lucas generator and voltage regulator and leave a working tach intact, have that option of just changing the faulty generator with the Delco and built in tach drive. I don't particularly care if I have a tach or not. There IS one on the Kubota B3030 and I hardly ever even glance at it. Sometimes its a bit difficult conveying a thought in a succinct manner by the written word. LOL

[@regsparkes6507]

@@tractorman4461 You've got a good point there too!

[@mafarmtown2086]

Glad to see it up and running, another job well done!

[@tractorman4461]

It sure does sound smooth. Now I have to find the other videos that were made to get it to this point !! At least two more at the minimum...a carb servicing and a change from points to an electronic ignition system. Thanks for watching !!

[@tomfillmore9710]

Good video and job I will have to check out the previous videos thanks take care

[@tractorman4461]

On a side note, with official Ford ignition parts and an excellent tune up, this tractor would NEVER start below 4*C. I don't care what you did, it would not start. Let it warm us just slightly above and it'd fire every time quick as a whistle. So I converted it to Petronix electronic ignition along with the suggested hot flamethrower coil and their suggested plugs and it fires just perfect. My son texted me at -12*C last week and it fired with just a few turns of the motor. I have a video on the change over, but have not edited it yet for upload.

[@tomfillmore9710]

@@tractorman4461 Glad you got it fixed up so it will start now we bought a 35 Massey four cylinder diesel the British model most have the 3 cylinder Perkins diesel nice old tractor but hard to start did matter if it was cold or hot out if it was summer and shout it off for a hour had to use the glow plugs to start it had a couple deferent guys that worked on tractor and they couldn't figure it out we had a guy that wanted to buy it and he knew it was hard to start put still wanted it so we sold it and got a new 384 International in 1981 we still have it over at the old farm we got just the tractor and the next year we took it back to the dealer and got a loader put on it we paid 27 hundred for the loader then and I believe that loader now is about 10 thousand okay the story is getting long I will watch for your video and I read your email thanks for getting back to me good luck with your meat cutting take care

[@tractorman4461]

@@tomfillmore9710 Loader costs are nuts now ! I don't know much about the utility line of the newer Internationals, but they gotta be good tractors. That's odd about the 4 banger diesel being hard to start....My little 2244 with that 152 cu in 3 cylinder starts quick as a whip just about any time. Tractors are like the ladies we love...they all take a little warming up sometimes to get them to go to work... LOL

[@ButlerOutdoorsCanada]

Gotta love it when a plan comes together!! That's a sweet Keychain 😜 matches the paint lol awesome video as always sir!

[@tractorman4461]

I figured you'd spot that. First thing I thought of when that popped out of the goodie bag from up your way was it'd sure look good on the pretty blue Ford !! Thank you again Andrew !!

[@ButlerOutdoorsCanada]

@@tractorman4461 my pleasure sir!! And I have to agree that's a good pair 👌 hope all is well out your way! We are still dealing with a steady heatwave here 🥵

[@tractorman4461]

@@ButlerOutdoorsCanada Yeah, I'm in the middle of an outdoors welding project and we've been holding steady 95F to 98 F days (35-37C). A couple wood cutting afternoons thrown in for good measure too. LOL All is well down here. Thanks my friend !!

[@jeffreyhays6970]

I positively hate wiring anything and the sad point is my dad and brother were electrical engineers haha you made it look easy so kids watch the video you might learn something!!

[@tractorman4461]

Hahahahaha......well Jeffrey, I always say it can't be too hard if a dummy like me can figure it out !! Now I kinda draw the line at generators. I've just never gotten into troubleshooting them with the serious intent to make them work no matter what. I'll cross that bridge if I ever get into actual restorations....but at this point, I doubt it. Thanks for the fun comment. I appreciate it.

[@darcyrasmussen3358]

Great video Tractorman. I like your style. Easy to listen to and understand. Pleas tell me where you get your gauges from.

[@tractorman4461]

Just about any auto parts store should have these standard gauges. The reason I use them is to get away from the expensive repair costs of the original equipment. Plus it makes it much easier to troubleshoot at well. Thank you Darcy for watching and commenting today.

[@monajacques616]

Your son will be happy

[@tractorman4461]

Oh yeah, I believe so. He's already loaded it and taken it to his house !! I'm hoping it gives him a lot of trouble free service. Still got to load the plows, disc, buzz saw and bush hog though. Thanks Richard for watching and commenting.

[@jankotze1959]

Congratulations 44, great video, I am a Ford tractor fanatic because I grew up with it, but we used a Massey Harris when I was very young and later some IH's but never without a Fordson or Ford, I notice the head lights of that 2000 sit in the position where our South African models sit, the European models lights sit in the grill, don't know fore-sure how it works in the US where You are but I know the Super major Ford 5000 sit also on the side in the US

[@tractorman4461]

Good Evening Jan, I grew up with Massey Harris as well. We had (2) 44's, a 101 Super and a 101 Junior and an old Model 25 as well. I've only had Fords for the last 35 years or so and Internationals for 15 or 20. There's not too many Fords here with the European headlight style until they get to the 6000 or 8000 series.

[@dannydunnagan3267]

I agree with you I have a friend who worked a the fire dept with me he owns a shop that is what he does full time now is alternators and starters changes tractors over to twelve volts he has done this for 50 years. and stays covered up he told me this morning that he will never be able to retire people keep his phone ringing all the time.

[@tractorman4461]

That's cool that he has so much work !! Welllll...until he wants to slow down. That just shows that he does good work and I bet a dollar to donuts that he doesn't advertise does he... Now I DO have a couple alternator and generator testing machines I don't really know how to use. I'm hedging my bet for old age. Maybe I'll learn how to use them to keep me out of the bars at night. LOL. Thanks Danny for the comment !!

[@dannydunnagan3267]

believe it or not, he can play any musical instrument he played with JERRY LEE LEWIS in Memphis back in the 70ed he still works on all our fire trucks and all the farmer's equipment as far as I know he never advertises

[@tractorman4461]

@@dannydunnagan3267 That's really cool !! He's gotta be a smart and quite a talented fellow. Guys like him NEVER advertise...word just get out. He needs a you tube channel..LOL.

[@bubbagump4686]

Another sweet ride , what is your son going to use it for ?

[@tractorman4461]

He's pretty much a Minnie Me....he's got a few acres down the road a couple miles and currently has my old B2400 Kubota and an old Massey Harris 30 for cutting and hauling wood. BUTTTTT....the transmission blew in the Big K and the back tires are original from about 1951 on the Massey and have several splits with the tube sticking through. So he'll use the plow and disc for a food plot, hauling wood and with the right angle drive will mount the 3 point adapted buzz saw for pole wood. Then of course there's snow removal for himself and a couple neighbors close to him.... the list goes on. Thanks BubbaG for stopping in today !!

[@Bret4207]

Outstanding! You've almost got me talked into trying an LED "idiot" light instead of my momentary switch on my conversions. It sure shows up well! Is there a minimum amperage it needs to pull do you think or is most any bulb going to be okay? Semper Fi!

[@tractorman4461]

I think the LED's are rated in wattage, but I have no idea what the ones I use are. I just pick up one at O'Reilly's that fits a 3/4'' hole and they work fine. I put a rectangle one on an old Massey Harris 30 and it goes out as the alternator begins output but it does flicker very lightly. So now I stick with the 3/4'' round ones. To determine which way to wire it in, touch it across the battery terminals, one way it will light up, the other way it will not. Good luck and S/F my friend.

[@andrewsmith941]

Where did you install the water temps sensor?

[@tractorman4461]

I don’t recommend it on a hard working tractor but I removed the block drain petcock. It should go front of the head where the original sensor is located for more accuracy in reading operating temps on one still used for heavy work consistently.

[@rons6985]

Where did you buy the Ford 2000 tractor amp, oil, and temperature gauages at, who make them and how much did they cost you?

[@tractorman4461]

Those are all just over the counter components at any auto parts store. That's why I changed from the Ford components. The Ford factory parts are too expensive and these I used are now standard everyday items just about anywhere. They were about 25 bucks each, give or take. I would not recommend tying your temperature gauge in like I did. My tractor is not heavily used and it will work fine but for a tractor under heavy work load, its not the best location for reading coolant temperature.

[@loodusefilm7881]

I use heatgun to start my tractor at cold weather, but it's diesel.

[@tractorman4461]

Oh heck yeah, I use the heat gun on diesels as well as the gas engines when its really cold....but there was something about this machine that just wouldn't budge !! I'm hoping the Petronix electronics with the suggested flamethrower coil will make the difference this winter.