My 1966 Massey 135 Tractor (Pics)

[flusher]

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:

Right on--a valuable thread for us restorers:thumbsup:

 

[MasseyWV]

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:

Right on--a valuable thread for us restorers:thumbsup:

I'm not certain that I deserve such high praise, but I'm glad that everyone is enjoying following my progress. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer them.

Many people are probably unaware of this, but my tractor restoration is a kind of refuge for me. Having to deal with cancer and many other extremely difficult life events has taken a toll on me, so this is my way of escaping it all, even if only for brief periods of time. It's difficult, time consuming, and dirty work, but I enjoy doing it.

 

[jdfox777]

Thank you for the information on the manuals. The agco looks like the best price I have seen and didn't realize you could get them from there. I have been planning on getting some for my MF 150 diesel (which I love). I noticed a 'Basic & Auxiliary Tractor Hydraulic System' manual (690562M3) was also available. Do you know if this is a good one to get?

Thanks.

 

[MasseyWV]

Thank you for the information on the manuals. The agco looks like the best price I have seen and didn't realize you could get them from there. I have been planning on getting some for my MF 150 diesel (which I love). I noticed a 'Basic & Auxiliary Tractor Hydraulic System' manual (690562M3) was also available. Do you know if this is a good one to get?

I'm not familiar with that manual, and most of what it contains is probably covered in the service manual, but it's cheap so I don't imagine it would hurt to get a copy. In fact, I may order one for myself. Here is a direct link for those who may be interested.

Basic & Auxiliary Tractor Hydraulic Systems - AGCO Technical Publications

 

[MasseyWV]

As I near completion of most the preparation work, I've begun gradually obtaining all the parts I'll need.

Recently, I purchased a valve train kit (Part #: VOKM145) by Tisco, and actually paid more (almost double) for it than I could have paid for an equivalent kit by A&I, because the Tisco kit said "Made in: USA" on the outside of the sealed box. To me, "Made in: USA" means that all of the contents are in fact made in the USA, but that was not the case here.

Some parts of the Tisco valve train kit were made in the USA, but others were made in Mexico and China. The intake/exhaust valves, and the split keepers were made in the USA. However, the valve springs and pin keepers were made in Mexico, and the valve guides were made in China. I can't say I'm happy that some of the parts were made in Mexico and China, especially when the outside of the box clearly said "Made in: USA", but there isn't much I can do about it. Buyer beware.

Then again, maybe there is something I can do about it afterall. According to the Federal Trade Commission, advertising something as being made in the USA when it's contents aren't in fact made in the USA is illegal. I've sent an email to Tisco to see what they have to say about it, if they even bother to respond at all. Yes, I take made in the USA very seriously.

http://www.ftc.gov/os/1997/12/epsmadeusa.htm

Here are pictures of the individual parts boxes contained within the Tisco valve train kit. Note that the Tisco logo on the outer box label was removed by the selling dealer, probably in a vane attempt to hide the source of the parts. Regardless, the part number and UPC code is a dead giveaway.

http://www.tractorpartmart.com/us/mf-cyl-head-oh-kit-p9453.html

 

[dex3361]

Keep up the good work. I am sorry that you are struggling with health issues in your family. It makes us feel helpless.

 

[MasseyWV]

My new manuals from AGCO Publications are scheduled to arrive later today, so I should soon be able to finally resume where I left off before discovering that the other manuals were incomplete.

In the mean time, I continue to perform assorted smaller tasks like cleaning the cylinder head and making a special tool so I can press the valve guides into it myself to save a few bucks off the machine shop work I'll need to eventually get done.

I also took a closer look at the front axle pivot pin after sandblasting it, and discovered that it wasn't in good condition afterall. The top side of it looks fine, but the bottom side, where most wear occurs, has a slight groove worn into it. I have some machining experience and could braze the groove then turn it on a metal lathe, but I don't have a metal lathe at the moment, so I will be replacing the pin afterall.

 

[Mike476]

I'll be curious how you find the level of detail in the manuals once you've had a chance to give them a good review.

Too bad about the pin, I guess better to find out now and not during reassembly.

 

[MasseyWV]

I'll be curious how you find the level of detail in the manuals once you've had a chance to give them a good review.

I haven't had time to review all the manuals yet, but can already tell that the AGCO Publications manuals are of a much higher quality than the Jensales manuals were. Plus, the AGCO Publications service manual is a loose leaf format which is properly tabbed for ease of navigation. A binder must be purchased separately, but I already have plenty on hand.

Despite the improved quality, it appears that the AGCO Publications service manual is also missing some parts pertaining to the Continental Z-145 gasoline engine. Specifically, it appears to be missing the parts for the lubrication (oil) system, cooling system, fuel system, and ignition system. For sake of comparison, the parts pertaining to the Perkins engines appear to be complete.

I know the missing parts for the Continental Z-145 gasoline engine must have existed at one time or another, because multiple knowledgeable contacts of mine have said so, plus the missing parts are referenced by the engine overhaul section (PART 2), shown in the image below, and highlighted in yellow for clarity. Note the upper corner which says "GROUP 0 - SECTION 0 - PART 2". Parts 1 and 3, etc... are what I believe to be the missing parts of the service manual.

The manuals arrived too late for me to contact AGCO Publications about it today, but I plan to call them Monday to try and see if it might be possible to locate the missing sections for inclusion in the service manual. Prior to ordering, I was specific about the problems I had encountered previously, but was assured that they would take all steps necessary to correct any problems that were found. We shall see.

Since much of Continental Z-134 gasoline engine is nearly identical to the Continental Z-145 gasoline engine, my backup plan is to see if anything can be found in service manuals covering tractors such as the Massey 35 which use the Continental Z-134 gasoline engine. Either way, I will get to the bottom of this, eventually.

 

[Mike476]

Wish I were home, I know my I&T Shop manual has the breakdowns for the carbs on the 134/145 but don't remember reading anything on the oil system. I know a lot of people will tell you these manuals leave a lot to be desired, and they do if you have no mechanical inclination, but to date I've found it has had everything I've needed.

I'm more concerned with reports that information contained in them is sometimes erroneous than reports regarding information that is missing.