MF 135 Temperature Gauge Help needed

[john165]

Hello. I have been trying hook up a temperature gauge I had lying around. It is a sunpro Buy Sunpro Style Line Mechanical Water/Oil Temperature Gauge - White CP8217 at Advance Auto Parts The problem I ran into was that the probes fitting screws into the original hole except when tightened down the gauges line moves inside of the fitting. So it seems that this gauge needs a adapter to be screwed into the original hole in the thermostat housing. I have three adapters but they are either too small or big.

I looked at buying a temperature gauge off ebay, but those gauges look just like the sunpro. And they list the adapter that comes with those gauges as 1/2 NPT. I have allready searched this site and I ran across a few posts to where people have bought a gauge and screwed it right in. But these same ones never addressed the line in the middle being stable and tight.

The post I looked at last night showed the fitting and probe and showed that the fitting would slide up and down just like this sunpro gauge.

My original probe seems to be solidly attached to the fitting, that would explain how it sealed in the 60's when built. Like who ever installed the gauge had to insert the probe, then tighten while simnutaneously turning gauge and line and fitting at the same time.

But the new gauges all show the fitting able to slide up and down the gauges line. I would call these places but all these customer services reps know is what is in the description of the gauges that they show online.


I also seen another post to where someone thought that maybe the thermostat housing temperature probe hole might have been drilled and tapped differently during different years. Mines appears to be 5/8 NPT. Or it is 5/8 UF.



Ok guys, tell me how yours is installed and what you did to install it. And what temp gauge you installed For MF 135 with the gas engine made during the 60's.



This gauge Massey Ferguson TO35 MF35 50 65 135 165 175 Temp Gauge | eBay looks like it needs a adapter.

This gauge ABC239 - Water Temperature Gauge is probably same way needing adapter.

I need first hand experience on this. I can take a pic of my original probe. It appears like the probe and nut are one unit hence not needing a adapter.




I thought about drilling a hole into into the water neck for a 1.4 adapter for the sunpro gauge. Then drill two 1/8 holes in the thermostat. That way it some water would bypass to it if it were stuck closed and overheating.

 

[TXMF135]

Massey ferguson used three engines for the 135.
Diesel Perkins. I think you mentioned a gas tractor.
Perkins gas three cylinder, and a gas continental engine. I believe.
My personal tractor has a Perkins diesel which shares some parts with the Perkins gas engine.
If your engine is a three cylinder, there is a chance I could help.
If it is a four cylinder gas, I will have to do some research, but I will try to keep from leading you down the wrong path.
My Perkins diesel got a new water temp gauge from yesterday's tractors online and it fit perfectly.
I ordered a new thermostat housing just in case I ruined the threads swapping parts. I did not need the housing as it was cast iron instead of aluminum.
The one I ordered for the tractor not only fit perfect, but the normal operating temp of the tractor is exactly straight up center so I know if I am getting chaff built up in the radiator while mowing.
The "nut" that holds the temp probe was a slip on piece when the tractor was built. Over time, things might get stuck together after pressure and heat and 50 years.

 

[TXMF135]

I hope you can see the flat part at the back of the thermostat hole.
The temp sensor should have a flat ring around it.
One side seals on the flat bottom of the hole and the other seals on the end of the hollow nut.
If either the probe or the nut is not the correct one for the application, you have a water leak and those can get expensive if not monitored religiously.
Just saying $50 bucks now on the correct gauge can save thousands on a motor rebuild.
Happy Tractoring.

 

[john165]

Yeah its the 4 cylinder gas model.

 

[john165]

I hope you can see the flat part at the back of the thermostat hole.
The temp sensor should have a flat ring around it.
One side seals on the flat bottom of the hole and the other seals on the end of the hollow nut.
If either the probe or the nut is not the correct one for the application, you have a water leak and those can get expensive if not monitored religiously.
Just saying $50 bucks now on the correct gauge can save thousands on a motor rebuild.
Happy Tractoring.

This helps alot. I will check it tommorow and see if it is like your pic. Thanks.

 

[TXMF135]

That housing is from the Perkins three cylinder, but I think the theory about sealing is the same.
I will look in the parts section of yesterday's tractors and see if they offer two different temp gauge assemblies.
One mistake I made was I failed to thread that long thin hollow (fragile) tube through the hole in the dash where the gauge goes. As a result, I got to install mine twice in one day.

 

[TXMF135]

Not trying to influence you in a particular direction, but 5/8 UNF thread on a temp gauge for $18.26 or so plus shipping would be the way I would go.

Yesterday's tractors dot com
Tractor parts
Massey ferguson
135
Gauges
Water temp


Then I might EBay my other gauge and recover some of my funds.

Good luck. And keep us posted.

Happy Tractoring.

 

[john165]

That housing is from the Perkins three cylinder, but I think the theory about sealing is the same.
I will look in the parts section of yesterday's tractors and see if they offer two different temp gauge assemblies.
One mistake I made was I failed to thread that long thin hollow (fragile) tube through the hole in the dash where the gauge goes. As a result, I got to install mine twice in one day.

You were right about the way they seal. I do not know why I did not think of the theory of the probe sealing to the thermostat housing. I searched far and wide about that. I even searched alot of posts on this website.

I ended up going with gauge from steiner listed above becaused it showed the actual temp. I chose it because Im not the only one who operates the tractor and so that way if someone else gets on it they will see actual numbers. And I also bought New antifreeze and thermostat with gasket to go with the new gauge thats on its way.

Your help was much appreacieated. I also double checked that steiner gauge and the thread on it. The thread was 5/8 UNF and it was also listed to fit the MF 135. Thanks again for the help.

 

[TXMF135]

Congratulations!
It always makes me feel good when I work hard on a project and I get to see it work like it is supposed to.
I hope you get a lot of pleasure from the 135 for many years. I went completely through mine and I would not trade it for two of those new plastic tractors with fuel lines hanging close to the ground.
I hope yours is as painless to operate as mine.
Happy Tractoring