Exactly what IS "restored"

[RobS]

Afternoon Bill,
Well partner Im in semi retirement these days but Ill give you an inside view of my office 3 days a week !

BTW, theres nothin like the smell of diesel in the mornin !

Oh yea, almost forgot to mention, Ive got dual chrome stacks on my rig !

Sure beats lookin at 4 walls !

Looks like a lot of fun Scotty, but I think you got some more 'splainin' to do. A new venture for you? Kind of the other end of "restored", eh?

 

[Wayne County Hose]

My "refurbished" 1964 MF-135 has shiny paint on the dash and the duller "factory" paint on the fenders and hood.

How did I manage this?

Ans: a cheap $40 HVLP spray gun from Harbor Freight, fairly cheap paint from Tractor Supply (supposed to be from Valspar) thinned with VM&P naptha, and, most important, my severe limitations as a spray painter.

Actually easier with a flattening agent, but it's trial and error to get it right. Unless you are a real pro, which I am far from.

 

[wolc123]

Tractor restoration is a hobby many enjoy, but personally I would never buy a "restored" tractor. I like them most when they still wear the factory paint. The best one I ever found was an 8n that a neighbor purchased new in 1951. He kept it inside and only used it to work up his 1/2 acre garden each year. I bought it from his widow with 1200 hours (barely broken in) for $1500 about 15 years ago. Included in that deal were a 1951 ford 2-bottom plow and 6.5 ft disk. I made no attempt to haggle the price with her, gladly paying what she asked. If I cant find one like that, which I would certainly never devalue by attempting to paint, then I would go for a virtual wreck that can be had for nothing or scrap price. I have found a few of these over the years and they are fun to paint up and bring back to life, but I certainly dont value any of them nearly as much as that old "cherry" 8n.

 

[RobS]

Tractor restoration is a hobby many enjoy, but personally I would never buy a "restored" tractor. I like them most when they still wear the factory paint. The best one I ever found was an 8n that a neighbor purchased new in 1951. He kept it inside and only used it to work up his 1/2 acre garden each year. I bought it from his widow with 1200 hours (barely broken in) for $1500 about 15 years ago. Included in that deal were a 1951 ford 2-bottom plow and 6.5 ft disk. I made no attempt to haggle the price with her, gladly paying what she asked. If I cant find one like that, which I would certainly never devalue by attempting to paint, then I would go for a virtual wreck that can be had for nothing or scrap price. I have found a few of these over the years and they are fun to paint up and bring back to life, but I certainly dont value any of them nearly as much as that old "cherry" 8n.

Pictures? That seems like quite the find. Do you still have it?

 

[wolc123]

I am not sure how to post pictures. I still have it but it is not in quite the condition it was when I got it. I have put almost as many hours on it since I had it as it had when I bought it. I had to do a valve job a few years ago as those old, soft factory valves do not hold up to unleaded fuel (even using lead substitute), and also replaced the proofmeter cable so it is no longer all original. It still starts like a champ on a 6 volt battery, even in sub-zero temperatures, and has those original hard-to-find rear rims full of 55 year old calcium solution. These days it is on "light duty" and I use it mostly to haul firewood in the winter and on a 2-row corn planter in the spring and summer. Somewhere I have the original sales paperwork and I think the price I paid was almost exactly what my nieghbor paid to the dealer back in 51 including the implements. Sadly, our local Ford dealer who sold it closed up around 5 years ago and all we got left in town is a "green" one so thats mostly what I run these days. I like this tractor a lot and it is also my wife's favorite. If I had to put a price on it, it would be around $10,000, so I will probably still have it when I join the original purchaser.

 

[RobS]

Posting pics is relatively easy. Click on a reply or new post button and be sure to click "go advanced" after you click reply. Once there, scroll down and you'll find a box for attaching files. Click the "manage attachments" button and it's relatively self explainatory. You may have to resize your images if they are large files. Shoot me a PM if you need more help.

Still sounds like a great tractor. My wife's family has a '53 Golden Jubilee but it's pretty beat. I haven't seen it in years and it probably hasn't run in at least that long.

 

[wolc123]

The jubilee brought some advancements, like overhead valves and live hydraulics but I prefer the 51 and 52 8n's which were better on fuel, a lot lighter, only a little less hp (they are both 2-plow machines), and had more durable hydraulics. I spent many hours pulling wagons with another neighbor's jubilee which always ran well, but the hydraulics gave out back around 1960. As far as the pictures go, I would have to start by getting a digital camera. I can probably get another old "junk" tractor cheaper so that probably wont happen too soon.

 

[mjarrels]

I added a SMV trangle to the back of my 1949 Farmall! Did I ruin the restoration? Gees... the new regulator is black too... I'm dead now!

mark

 

[Soundguy]

Lots of people ( dealers included ).. liked the updated look of the blue paint on the 63+ models and it was common to repaint hte older models to match the current scheme. same was true of the 9n/2n that were painte dup as redbellies instead of battleship grey all over.. etc..

soundguy

stop making fun of my tractors

I replaced a few feed bags on the cushion of the MF 135 and some day I will replace that old worn out thing with a new, correct cushion.

Something else I just thought about, my Ford 640 is suppose to be gray and red. However, the farm who owned the tractor since new repainted it around 5 years ago a nice blue and white like Ford tractors should be. That tractor looks so much nicer in blue and white I can never see repainting it the Gray and red if I did a full restore on it.

 

[Soundguy]

The jubilee brought some advancements, like overhead valves and live hydraulics but I prefer the 51 and 52 8n's which were better on fuel, a lot lighter, only a little less hp (they are both 2-plow machines), and had more durable hydraulics. I spent many hours pulling wagons with another neighbor's jubilee which always ran well, but the hydraulics gave out back around 1960. As far as the pictures go, I would have to start by getting a digital camera. I can probably get another old "junk" tractor cheaper so that probably wont happen too soon.

The square vane pumps the jubes started out with were hopeless junk.. and now very $pendy to rebuild.. now that parts are once again available. Of course the NAA 2.85gpm piston pump ain't cheap to rebuild either.. though is much cheape rthan the vane. The 'will-fit' 4gpm piston pump of the hundred series is the best of the bunch.. though if installed on an NAA will cause erattic ( oversensitive ) draft operation due to the increased volume and issues with the exhaust valve.. etc..

 

[scott_vt]

Looks like a lot of fun Scotty, but I think you got some more 'splainin' to do. A new venture for you? Kind of the other end of "restored", eh?

Evenin Rob,
Yea, definitely the other end of restored ! One big problem with this job is that everywhere you look you can find something interesting that would be a great restore, old trucks etc ... the list is just endless ! You just need to excersize the right amount of restraint !

 

[john_bud]

When you go from this

to this

to this

Actually, It's only refurbished. I chose different paint (yellow is wrong) and a different paint pattern (detail of the grill should be solid one color yellow) and I didn't replace the sheet metal. It's a worker that was refurbished to go back to work after an estimated 10,000 hours. 8500 on the original proofmeter that had no cable when bought.

Some might call it restored, but it wasn't done with an eye towards originality. Just functionality - and a lot needed just plain repair to yield functionality!

You may not be able to tell, but I don't really like the "sherman-williams" 15 minute "restorations"!

jb

 

[scott_vt]

Evenin John,
By the looks of it your just havin way too much fun son !

 

[billbill1]

Bill, as far as I am concerned, your 150 is refurbished and restored, anything you want to call it. You have kept it in excellent condition and it is as sweet as any I have ever seen. I know you have repainted it but I've seen pictures before and after, you certainly had a great machine before you did anything.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Bill, as far as I am concerned, your 150 is refurbished and restored, anything you want to call it. You have kept it in excellent condition and it is as sweet as any I have ever seen. I know you have repainted it but I've seen pictures before and after, you certainly had a great machine before you did anything.

Many thanks,

2-1/2 years ago, when I started working on the 150, all I intended to do was clean it up after near 35 years of farm use. It had the typical "old tractor" build-up of grease, dirt, scratches, and scars. I had just sold the farm and moved to our new place. There was going to be a lot less "dirty jobs" in the 150's future, so why not clean it up? One afternoon while things were slow at work, I was cruising EBAY and found a NOS steering wheel center cap. The original was faded and worn. I bid on the new one and got it!

And we're off and running!

Next I replaced the rubber headlight mounting rings, found an OEM PTO shield to replace the original that was mangled. New flasher lights for the fenders, along with the reflector brackets that hold the lights. Next, all new wiring. Oh, why not become obsessed with a perfect paint job? New decals all MF originals and not aftermarkets, Rebuild the alternator, starter, water pump, and power steering pump, even though they ALL worked just fine. Then new tie rod ends. New tires. New seat suspension parts and cushion. Pull the oil pan and replace rear gasket that's leaked almost since day one. Check bearings and oil pump while in there. (No measurable wear from original specs after 3000 hrs/36 years. VERY proud of that fact) Fan belt and all hoses replaced. Both power steering hoses replaced. My favorite MF dealer located an original remote flasher light plug that goes on the left fender. I have one of each of the 3 optional fixed drawbars, along with an original MF 7-hole 3-point drawbar. While moving, I found the original SMV mounting bracket that I'd replaced years ago. Ebay was again the source for a pair of rear wheel weights that'll probably stay in the barn for the time being. All parts to throttle linkage replaced. (LOTS of wear on originals)

Entire fuel system has been flushed, injector pump/injectors serviced by a certified Perkins engine center. All 3 cylinders compression test to specs. Radiator cleaned and pressure tested. Hydraulic system flushed, new oil, and system pressures test to original specs. About 3 years after I bought the 150, a friend that works at Republic Diesel helped me turn up the fuel screw. (inj. pump) Originally, the Perkins AD3-152 was rated at 38 hp (pto) We tuned 'er up to where it's cranking out 47 at the PTO. Still dyno's 47 to this day.

Both clutch's are still ORIGINAL. In 36+ years, they've only needed 2 minor adjustments, so they aren't significantly worn. They'll stay for now.

I've located a NOS steering wheel. It's on the way via UPS. Original has a couple cracks in it. The right fender has a couple dents where my dad backed into a fence post 25 years ago. I have a fender located and it'll be here before long. I may or may NOT replace that. Long story. I also have an OEM ROPS and canopy in the shed. That's the last thing to go on. (I keep the 150 in the garage near the house while I'm working on it. ROPS won't fit under door header. Once work has completed, the tractor heads to the barn where the ROPS will fit. I then start on the NEXT obsession. [Dads Ferguson F-40]) I've also got an NOS muffler packed away. It won't quite clear the door either. Once the ROPS goes on, so does the correct muffler.

Original tires were GoodYears. They don't offer the same tire, so I had to go NON-original there. Titans now. (Titan owns what was once GoodYear AG tire division) And the battery isn't quite "stock". NAPA gell-filled. Deduct 50 points for non-stock parts.

Just for effect, I MAY mount an original MF issue fender mount AM/FM radio I found on EBAY. Maybe not.

When I started, there wasn't anything mechanically "wrong" other than normal wear and normal aging of some parts. Hopfully, I've caught most any potential problems BEFORE anything breaks. The 150 would have been perfectly fine without all this attention.

ALL parts used in the resto/refurb were either NOS or OEM replacement parts, with NOS parts being favored. Even the paint is AGCO/MF. By my own definition, I still can't say for sure if this is a restoration, a refurbishing, or simply an obsessive old timer with a tractor that's served him well for his entire adult life that he wants to see treated as well as it treated him.

 

[flusher]

Many thanks,



And we're off and running!

Pull the oil pan and replace rear gasket that's leaked almost since day one. (LOTS of wear on originals)

.

FWJ:

Interesting.

Last Monday I had a contractor guy at my place checking the jobsite where I plan to have an equipment shed built. As predicted by many TBNers, I've outgrown my 24'x42' shop in less than 3 years.

He saw my 1964 MF-135 diesel in the shop and I told him the story about my "refurbishment".

He said that he's owned several MF 100 series tractors and so have some of his friends. According to him MF tractors have a reputation as leakers. How does that jibe with your experience?

Right now I have seepage out the pto rear shaft seal (the leak was there when I bought the 135 in July06). Now my 135 has developed an oil leak somewhere on the engine. I'll be under the tractor later this month troubleshooting that one. From your experience, I guess the oil pan gasket is the first place to look.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

FWJ:

Interesting.

Last Monday I had a contractor guy at my place checking the jobsite where I plan to have an equipment shed built. As predicted by many TBNers, I've outgrown my 24'x42' shop in less than 3 years.

He saw my 1964 MF-135 diesel in the shop and I told him the story about my "refurbishment".

He said that he's owned several MF 100 series tractors and so have some of his friends. According to him MF tractors have a reputation as leakers. How does that jibe with your experience?

Right now I have seepage out the pto rear shaft seal (the leak was there when I bought the 135 in July06). Now my 135 has developed an oil leak somewhere on the engine. I'll be under the tractor later this month troubleshooting that one. From your experience, I guess the oil pan gasket is the first place to look.

The rear pan gaskets (oil pan) leaked almost from the get-go. About mid production of the 100 series, a new gasket, as well as a slighly different oil pan was worked into the production of Perkins engines. The older pans were far more likely to leak, but even the new ones tended to seep oil after time.

The solution;

Get a replacement pan gasket set FROM AGCO/MF. The gaskets you get from them have been redesigned and are currently made from a different material. Aftermarket gasket sets are "old style" material and will start leaking in short order. I've replaced pan gaskets on my 150 as well as 3 MF135's. All 4 are cured!

Beyond that leak, I've had a small leak from the tachometer drive point on the rear of the cylinder head. Cured by tightening 2 bolts. And, a leak from rear of valve cover gasket. That was when the tractor was around 25 years old. I replaced the gasket. No more leaks. I'd say that's not abnormal for a 37 year old tractor.

 

[flusher]

The rear pan gaskets (oil pan) leaked almost from the get-go. About mid production of the 100 series, a new gasket, as well as a slighly different oil pan was worked into the production of Perkins engines. The older pans were far more likely to leak, but even the new ones tended to seep oil after time.

The solution;

Get a replacement pan gasket set FROM AGCO/MF. The gaskets you get from them have been redesigned and are currently made from a different material. Aftermarket gasket sets are "old style" material and will start leaking in short order. I've replaced pan gaskets on my 150 as well as 3 MF135's. All 4 are cured!

Beyond that leak, I've had a small leak from the tachometer drive point on the rear of the cylinder head. Cured by tightening 2 bolts. And, a leak from rear of valve cover gasket. That was when the tractor was around 25 years old. I replaced the gasket. No more leaks. I'd say that's not abnormal for a 37 year old tractor.

FWJ: Thanks for the info. I'll pick up that pan gasket from the MF dealer in Chico next time I'm down there.

 

[billbill1]

The 100 series MF's have always been a favorite of mine, there was a family in my hometown that bought one new when I was in grade school. They kept it waxed and it always looked brand spanking new. Their color scheme has always been very sharp looking IMO. My Grandfather bought a new D-14 Allis in 1957, I got to cut my teeth on that tractor. Not nearly as sharp as a MF though.