Anybody have experience with really old Diesels?

I've owned several diesel land rovers and those direct injection pump engines are simple. Prime the system and make sure you have fuel and no air or water in the lines. Check your glow plugs are heating up and you should be good to go. 99% of the time with those old diesels the fuel filter if full of crud and water. Remember, diesel fuel floats on water so if its been sitting you may not be pulling the best fuel out of the tank. In tug boats they force water into the fuel tanks and the pick up is on the top of the tank. That way they always have a full tank to keep the ballast centered. I'd look at your fuel first.

Dave

Dave