'46 D2 - 5J8143 Fuel pump

Hi Todd, some tractors will run without the fuel transfer pump but the tank needs to be completely full of fuel, the system primed, and the rest of the fuel system needs to be in good shape. But it's obviously not the ideal situation and I'm not sure if the tractor would develop full or even half power like that. So it's possible the previous owner put it back together just to get it running enough to put it back in the shed. You can pick up another transfer pump from any of the team on here like Wally and Jon and Hector, but if they don't have one, then you can check with Dana at Florin Tractor and search with the part # on machinerytrader.com
For a part like this, Cat is unlikely to be able to help you.
To prime, fill the fuel tank full, open the fuel tank valve which is indicated by the line across the valve stem being inline with the valve body/flow (vs. across it). Open the bleeder valve at the front of the fuel filter tower, and if you have a working transfer pump in place, you can start the pony, decompress the main engine, and use the pony to turn the main engine over which will turn the transfer pump. After a minute or two, fuel will issue from the front bleeder. Close that then open the bleeder on the side of the fuel filter tower. Once fuel issues from that, close it. Then open the bleeders on the injection pumps. Once fuel issues from those without bubbles, close them. To start, you can leave the pony turning the main over, verify your governor control is fully closed (over the detent) and that you have oil pressure. Then close the decompressor and turn the main for a few minutes at full pony throttle. Snap the main engine governor control open and the main will normally start. If it does, turn the fuel off to the pony and idle it down and let it run out of gasoline at idle. If it doesn't start but you were getting smoke (white and maybe a couple of puffs of black), then it was about to start so give it another go, running on compression / no governor for a couple minutes more then try again. If it still doesn't start and it does issue much smoke, then you may need to bleed some more. If none of that helps, come back here for more discussion.
For the pony, since it only takes a quart and it's not filtered, change it early and often. When you first start it from cold, keep it at a low idle until it's had a chance to splash-lubricate and warm up a bit. That will help with longevity.

Thank you Neil! Very good info!

The previous owner said he'd bought and installed a reconditioned pump from a local company, i'm wondering if they mistakenly sent him a core and he unknowingly installed it without the shaft & gear. Either way, it didn't work for him. 

Thanks for the info re priming the fuel system, i will follow that once i get a working transfer pump.

best!
Todd

to help priming the system you can pressurize your diesel tank to about 5 psi and it will push the fuel and air right thru the system to the bleeder valves, use an old inner tube with valve clamped around the fill neck on the tank

to help priming the system you can pressurize your diesel tank to about 5 psi and it will push the fuel and air right thru the system to the bleeder valves, use an old inner tube with valve clamped around the fill neck on the tank

Hi Team,
the scan below may help.

If the mounting gasket for the transfer pump was not a specially cut one and so was covering the T/pump's drive shaft hole then fuel would gravity feed into the engine lube system and dilute the Diesel engine lube oil and also would drain out of the T/Pump drain line if indeed it was not already clogged by dirt daubers etc.--check your Diesel engine oil for fuel dilution before running it or you will risk failing all your crankshaft bearings in quick time.
Cheers,
Eddie B.

Thanks for the scan & info. I'm guessing the priming procedure is in the service manual... which i should be receiving soon.

Regards
Todd

yes the procedure is in the manuals.

with a completely full fuel tank they can gravity bleed somewhat too but that is a lot of fuel i cant remember the figure in gallons but my 6u holds 120 litres so it adds up fast.

the tire tube idea works well.