My 1966 Massey 135 Tractor (Pics)

[MasseyWV]

 

[Mike476]

I share your enthuiasm for refurbishing old vehicles, whatever they are. One of my first jobs was wet sanding and tapng off vehicles in my fathers' body shop, $20 a car. That was hard work but good moey for a 14 year old in the mid 70s, and I learned a little about the trade while getting a chance to work with him, priceless!

 

[Mike476]

How was the crank pulley to take off, I read you used the three arm puller but I'm curious if you had to use more persuasion than you would have liked.

 

[MasseyWV]

How was the crank pulley to take off, I read you used the three arm puller but I'm curious if you had to use more persuasion than you would have liked.

The crank pulley wasn't difficult to remove, but removing it does require removal of the complete front end assembly to gain access. Note that the threads on the crank pulley bolt aren't reversed, counterclockwise to loosen and clockwise to tighten.

Removing the front axle pivot pin and bushing was much more challenging, but I've encountered worse. The bushing was egg-shaped from excessive wear.

 

[dex3361]

Looks like you are doing a great job. I have one queation in one of the pics the floor looks like you have a vinyl floor in the garage is that what I see?

 

[Mike476]

My front end is getting a little sloppy as well, will need to do the same with mine.

A lot of work done so far, you're doing it up the right way, tear it apart and at least have a look at it and if it's good clean it up and put it back together. At the end you'll have something that will last another 40 or so years.

 

[MasseyWV]

Looks like you are doing a great job. I have one queation in one of the pics the floor looks like you have a vinyl floor in the garage is that what I see?

The vinyl flooring was there when I bought the house/garage from the previous owner, who had planned to live in the garage (downstairs) until the house portion (upstairs) was finished. Only half the garage has it, and I've been gradually removing it so I can cover the floor with a more appropriate material. The house/garage property is next door to my home.

 

[MasseyWV]

Did you get the rocker shaft assembly you ordered yet?

The used rocker assembly I ordered arrived today, and while it looked fine at first glance, pulling a few rockers off the shaft revealed that it's worn more than I can live with. It's not worn as badly as my original rocker assembly, but the wear still exceeds the maximum allowable OEM tolerances. I knew it was a gamble and feared this might happen, and all is not lost because I can return it, but this leaves me with my original problem of how to deal with the rocker shaft assembly.

A. I can purchase a new rocker shaft and bushings, then have the old rocker assembly rebuilt, all for about $150-$175.

B. I can buy a complete new rocker shaft assembly for $250 plus shipping.

I must admit that I'm on the virge of simply ordering a complete new rocker assembly and being done with it, once and for all. What would you do?

 

[Mike476]

I'm all for reusing parts that are serviceable so I'd probably be double checking wear. If there were any signs of wear I'd probably go new rather than match slightly worn parts up with new.

I know, always easier to spend someone elses money.

 

[MasseyWV]

This morning, I removed the water pump, timing cover, and oil pan. There was no sludge, the oil pickup screen was clean, and everything looked and felt great. I'll have to wait until I get some plastigage before I can check the main and rod bearings, but based on what I can see, I think they'll be ok. I even found two pieces of the cotter pins that had broken off from the rocker assembly.

I was going to wait to remove the timing cover and oil pan, but I couldn't resist the temptation to go ahead and remove them so I could look at everything.

I'm all for reusing parts that are serviceable so I'd probably be double checking wear. If there were any signs of wear I'd probably go new rather than match slightly worn parts up with new.

Rebuilding the rocker assembly would effectively make it a new part again, so old against new wouldn't be a problem. I'm thinking of buying a new one because it isn't much more money, and it would get it out of the way so I won't worry about it any more.

 

[Mike476]

Rebuilding the rocker assembly would effectively make it a new part again, so old against new wouldn't be a problem. I'm thinking of buying a new one because it isn't much more money, and it would get it out of the way so I won't worry about it any more.

I can appreciate that, you've got a lot on the go. Great news about the crank and mains though.

 

[MasseyWV]

Here are more pictures of my progress.

 

[dex3361]

The vinyl flooring was there when I bought the house/garage from the previous owner, who had planned to live in the garage (downstairs) until the house portion (upstairs) was finished. Only half the garage has it, and I've been gradually removing it so I can cover the floor with a more appropriate material. The house/garage property is next door to my home.

I going to say wow what a smarmy garage with the vinyl floor amd all.

 

[MasseyWV]

Has anyone ever done something really dumb, despite knowing better? So far, I've made two significant mistakes as I prepare to restore my tractor.

My first mistake was when I decided to order a used rocker assembly, thinking it would be anywhere close to being in acceptable condition. My second mistake was discovered this morning, as I was reading the shop manual I recently purchased. The shop manual was the problem, but more on that later.

 

[dex3361]

Has anyone ever done something really dumb, despite knowing better? So far, I've made two significant mistakes as I prepare to restore my tractor.

My first mistake was when I decided to order a used rocker assembly, thinking it would be anywhere close to being in acceptable condition. My second mistake was discovered this morning, as I was reading the shop manual I recently purchased. The shop manual was the problem, but more on that later.

I always have a thing or 2 that I feel foolish about on any project

 

[Mike476]

Has anyone ever done something really dumb, despite knowing better? So far, I've made two significant mistakes as I prepare to restore my tractor.

Heck yes! And it's always despite that annoying liitle voice in the back of my head trying to raise the flag before I do it. I usually end up pushing through and do it anyway, only to regret it later.

Not sure what that says about me................ my better half has a few suggestions.

 

[MasseyWV]

My second mistake was discovered this morning, as I was reading the shop manual I recently purchased. The shop manual was the problem, but more on that later.

The next step of the preparations to restore my tractor is to remove and inspect the main and rod bearing caps, which also gives me the opportunity to inspect the oil pump.

However, when I was reading the service manual that I had recently purchased from Jensales, I discovered that major portions of the section covering the Continental Z-145 engine were missing. There was no mention of the oil pump inspection and overhaul procedures anywhere to be found. This led to further investigation, which also revealed that there were no carburetor inspection and overhaul procedures either. Who knows what else was missing.

Needless to say, I was furious so I promptly called Jensales to complain. Much to my surprise, they seemed to "know" that the manual was incomplete, which was only emphasized when I was asked if I knew where to get additional original manuals they could make master copies from. Seriously, are you effing kidding me? If I had original manuals, I would not be buying them. Long story short, I demanded a refund, and the manuals (all of them) are on their way back to Jensales. And to think, I had actually recommended Jensales.com to people. From now on, I will make a point to do just the opposite. I will NOT be fooled again.

This afternoon, I did as I should have done in the first place, and ordered OEM manuals from AGCO Publications, which were half the price of the overpriced photocopied manuals I had previously purchased from Jensales. Just in case anyone isn't familiar with it, the website for obtaining OEM Massey Ferguson owner/service/parts manuals is http://www.agcopubs.com

Here is a screenshot of my AGCO Publications order, showing the publication numbers and prices for each manual. Note that I also ordered the Perkins Gas/Diesel owners manual, just so I'd have it if it were ever needed in the future.

View attachment 266623

 

[mandoman]

thanks for the warning.

 

[MasseyWV]

Lately, I haven't had much time to work on my tractor, but I have managed to perform a few small tasks. I'll have to wait for the new service manual to arrive before going much farther, so I'm sticking to the basics for now.

First, I cleaned, repaired, sandblasted and primed the manifold heat shield I recently purchased. Getting the heat shield clean presented quite a challenge, because it was coated in baked on gunk, but oven cleaner made the job much easier. Some minor dents were hammered out and a small tear was welded that had formed along the rolled edge after "Bubba" decided to bend it for whatever reason. The heat shield was sandblasted and primed after being tested for fit with the cylinder head temporarily put in place as shown below.

Next, I cleaned and degreased the oil pan using oven cleaner and a wire brush, followed by a thorough rinse with soapy water. Oven cleaner is an excellent degreaser, but I only use it on loose parts because it tends to be very corrosive and can cause premature rust if it isn't completely removed. The oil pan will be sandblasted prior to being primed and painted.

Lastly, I removed the lift arm assemblies so I could begin cleaning them later.

 

[joemd11]

Massey, I really enjoy watching the progress you are making on the tractor restoration. Thanks for the time and effort it takes to document the job and sharing it with us.:thumbsup: