MF 35 ignition

[promethiusgarden]

So I've got my 1964 MF 35 in the garage finally and am trying to sort some things out. Let me preface that this is the first diesel tractor I've ever owned. This ones giving me some trouble starting now (temps have been 30F - 45F)

1) The ignition switch does not seem to be stock. The key actually says new holland on it and it doesn't seem to do anything but start, in other words it doesn't seem to index to the heating option. In the original configuration did you have to hold the key manually on the heating option?

2) Am I supposed to hear the glow plugs being actuated? Or feel any sort of warmth by touch?

Thanks!

 

[pjbci]

My brother inlaw had a 35 diesel made around that same time. His didnt have glow plugs. I could be wrong but I didnt think the 35's or the later 135's even had glow plugs.

 

[murphy1244]

My brother inlaw had a 35 diesel made around that same time. His didnt have glow plugs. I could be wrong but I didnt think the 35's or the later 135's even had glow plugs.

No glow plugs just start on my 1967 135

 

[promethiusgarden]

hmm, OK, so what is actually heating up when the key is turned to "heat."

This is the Perkins 3cylinder, if that makes any difference.

 

[pjbci]

I dont know. Maybe its got to do with the new holland switch.... Get a 12 volt tester and find which terminal is hot only when the switch is in the warm position. If it has a wire on it, follow that wire an let us know where it goes.

 

[murphy1244]

some machines have a manifold heater in them. do a search.

 

[promethiusgarden]

So the instructions for heating in cold weather is the original stickers on the tractor. It says turn key to heat setting for 15 seconds, again these are the stock instructions from the people of 1964.

Thanks.

 

[murphy1244]

So the instructions for heating in cold weather is the original stickers on the tractor. It says turn key to heat setting for 15 seconds, again these are the stock instructions from the people of 1964.

Thanks.

do yourself a favor and buy a factory OP manual, there on ebay for about 12 bucks.

 

[WilliamBos]

The Perkins had a thermostart heater in the intake manifold. It heats up a shot of diesel, when shot in assidts with starting.

Get genuine mf manuals.

 

[pjbci]

I dont have books on the 35 but I looked in my operator manual and parts manual that came with my 135 with perkins engine in 1970. The only thing mentioned for cold weather starts is a small shot of starting fluid or an optional 120 volt block heater. Hope this helps.

 

[The kid]

I dont have books on the 35 but I looked in my operator manual and parts manual that came with my 135 with perkins engine in 1970. The only thing mentioned for cold weather starts is a small shot of starting fluid or an optional 120 volt block heater. Hope this helps.

PJ all is not lost. If you goto AGCO Parts Books and loggin as GUEST put 35 in the box and pull down window put Massey Ferguson. Scroll down to "35 Tractor" and there you will find every part number for your tractor in exploded view. Compliments of AGCO.

You guys where mentioning heater. It's actually a preheater that mounts in the manifold and get power from a equipped start switch. If you tractor doesn't have it. It can be added. There is a world of information at your fingertips. you just have to search the right words/terminology. Here's a few items I pulled off the net.

View attachment 302456

This is a snippet from Agcopartsbook showing both a PLUG and a Preheater. If yours doesn't have the preheater, then it probably has a plug installed in the manifold. This is where fuel is preheated before it hits the cylinders. It is powered off a special dash switch.

View attachment 302457

Notice the switch has more terminals than the one you probably have. One of those terminals hooks to the preheater. Found this on ebay.

View attachment 302458

This is the preheater that screws into the manifold and a wire runs to the switch to activate it. Found this on ebay.

View attachment 302459

Last is a diagram of the wiring for a MF35 Diesel

This should keep you busy. You might consider ordering a service manual and partsbook from AGCO. They are tad pricy but they have the most complete infomation of any manual offered.

They can be found at www.agcopubs.com

Good luck in your conversion. -robert

 

[promethiusgarden]

OK, heater switch makes sense now, will I hear anything if this is working properly?

Does the "Massey Ferguson 35/35X Workshop Manual - 819147M1" for $50 sound about right?

Massey Ferguson 35/35X Workshop Manual - 819147M1 | FarmingParts.com

Thanks.

 

[promethiusgarden]

Wow Robert that was a really helpful reply, thanks!

 

[WilliamBos]

DO NOT start with ether! Bg Dean Austin stated you will take the ring lands off the pistons if you gave them either.
lLook in the intake, you will have a thermostart.

 

[promethiusgarden]

The guy I bought if from said that's how he used to start it when it was cold, I hope he didn't do any damage. He only owned it for about 9 months but was moving out of town.

My neighbor just came over this afternoon and was pleased with my purchase, I guess between the older 4cyl and the gas versions this was, in his opinion, one of the best of the 35's. He even told me of a local farmer who bought this exact tractor in the early 60's, I'll probably go pick his brain eventually.

DO NOT start with ether! Bg Dean Austin stated you will take the ring lands off the pistons if you gave them either.
lLook in the intake, you will have a thermostart.

 

[The kid]

Wow Robert that was a really helpful reply, thanks!

No problem. On the manual. That sounds about right. As long as it's AGCO's Massey Ferguson manual you'll be in good shape. There are a lot of slipshod copies being sold on CD that aren't worth the CD their written on.

As a few has cautioned. DO NOT USE A STARTING FLUID ON THIS TRACTOR. It could cause disastrous results. If your tractor hasn't been converted to 12v. That's another project you might consider. Good luck. - robert

Sent from my iPad iOS 6.1 - TBN v1.6

 

[promethiusgarden]

So according to Agco parts thing (which is pretty sweet) there are two possible ignition switches:

"Cole-Hersee & Lucas Are Alternate
Switches. Check Switch & Associated
Parts Carefully Before Ordering."

I ordered the one from ebay that says it works with the heat/start.
Ignition Starter Switch for Massey Ferguson TO35 MF35 MF50 MF65 MF85 MF88 MF90 | eBay

Since I don't have one to compare, hopefully this one fits. There's a 12 volt battery in there, so I guess I can assume it's been "converted." The wiring looks to be a mess though, guess I'll need to address that.