need help with ferg 30 valves

[lil misfit]

Hi all. New to the foum but have enjoyed the articles in past research. Now I have an issue. I have a 52 ferg 30 that I've been working the last few years and its run great, but I was doing some work on the neighbors driveway and it went down on me. Took off the valve cover and one of the valves has dropped. My questions are how bad can this be? Should I attempt to fix this and where to locate parts? Or should I get a real mechanic to work on it as there are a couple good ones in the area. Any advice or input would be appreciated.

 

[Soundguy]

Make noise or just loose power?

Ford red tiger ohv engines are non Interference , not sure on fergies.

If you are lucky, something lil an intake coil be stuck down.. Probably dropped a pushrod off a lifter, or if it was a hard push, might have bent pushrods.

Valve springs broke on the down one?

Post pics of valve train and pushrod covers off

 

[lil misfit]

Thank you for the response, and not much noise. It was a couple of pops and then died out. I figured it was the head gasket as its been starting to smoke more the last year or two. Got out in between rainstorms this evening to get a few pics Hope they help.

 

[Soundguy]

Well, that one likely went south!

 

[crankshaft21]

Be sure to check the piston, could be damaged as well.

 

[Soundguy]

As well as the cyl wall

 

[lil misfit]

I'm in search of a repair manual for it now so I can see what's missing and what I need to get. I worked on truck motors a little bit years ago but never got into the top ends short of carb changes, but it looks like I could pull the manifold and then the head to check the piston and cylinders with out messing with the valves. Is this correct?

 

[BKBrown]

Fix That Ferguson!, Tractor parts for Ferguson and Massey Ferguson tractors.

Harry Ferguson Tractors Discussion Board

These sites are helpful.

I have a neighbor's TO 30 here and just used it last week to do some bush hog work -- great tractor ! :thumbsup:

 

[Dave M7040]

Has the valve disappeared completely into the cylinder or is it still partially in the guide?
It should be a job you can do if you go slowly and ask lots of questions and take lots of pictures to remind you how things go together.
For example, loosen the head bolts gradually in a Cris cross pattern to not warp the head.
The cylinder head will need to go to an automotive machine shop to be checked and overhauled.
Remind the machinist that it is an old tractor and not a modern racing car so a few gouges in the head would not be a big deal.
If the cylinder wall or piston is damaged then some choices have to be made.
You need to know if the engine has sleeves in the cylinders for example.
This site shows liners and pistons for about $250
Piston and Sleeve Set [S.60737] - $234.51 : Fix That Ferguson!, Tractor parts for Ferguson and Massey Ferguson tractors.

Hiring one of your local mechanics and working as his helper may teach you a great deal.
Dave M7040

 

[lil misfit]

Its been pretty wet here this last few days and the tractors outside covered so I havent been able to get back into it yet but I think your suggestion of working with the mechanic is the way to go. If I try to do it alone I atleast want to get it in the barn before its opened up because I know its going to go slow alone vs someone knowing what to do. Deffinatly gotta do something soon hays bout knee deep already.

 

[Soundguy]

once the heads off you will know which direction to go.

 

[Jerry/MT]

Pull the head. You've all ready done the difficult part-removing the valve cover. Once you have the head off, you can see what the damage is. If it's just a valve and valve spring/retainer replacement, you can be up and running quickly. Make sure to check for piston crown damage and cylinder wall damage, however. If you have that, it's a bit longer of a repair.

These engines are 1940's technology not an F-22 so don't be afraid to work on these issues yourself. If you have hay to cut and time is of the essence and the damage is great, then you may have to hire the repair out.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I had that problem several times with my 52 to30. I kept breaking valve springs for some reason. I never had a problem until I overhauled the engine. Must have been a batch of faulty springs. I should have left the originals in it.

One valve not closing can cause it to lose compression in 2 cylinders and it runs really badly on 2 cylinders.

I got another set of springs and have been replacing them as they break. I've never had a problem with the valve hitting anything.

The first time I pulled the head and found I didn't need to. My brother showed me a method to replace the springs in place without removing the head each time. I've done it 4 or 5 times.

I took an old spark plug and welded an air hose coupling on it and screwed it into the bad cylinder spark plug hole. I put 100 lbs of air into the cylinder, and with some pliers pulled the valve up and it seals and stays closed. Keep the pressure going into the cylinder. I was then able to remove the rocker arm, old spring, retainer, rotator, keepers, for that cylinder. After making sure I didn't leave any broken pieces anywhere, and found the little parts I needed that were laying on the top of the head, I replaced the spring, retainers, rotators, etc and with a helper to collapse the new spring, I was able to insert the new keepers and reassemble the cover, tank, etc. Collapsing the new spring isn't that hard. Just get a helper with a couple of large screw drivers to press down on the retainer.

The worst part is removing/replacing the gas tank. I found it easiest to leave the fuel line on the tank.

It's not a hard job. I just found it frustrating that I had to do it so often. When I bought my new Mahindra, I gave the Fergy to my son, complete with spark plug adapter and the remainder of the new springs, and a promise I'd help him if he ever needed it.

It's been 3-4 years without any issues so maybe I replaced all the faulty ones.

Don't worry about yours hurting anything in the cylinder.

Good luck.

 

[lil misfit]

Thanks to all for the advice and encougagement. Had to clear some room in the barn to get in out of the rain so I m about ready to tackle this. Just need to get stopped n get to it.

 

[Soundguy]

take pics. let us know what you find.

 

[lil misfit]

I ll get some pics in progress hopefully I won't be doing this again soon but it will be nice to have them as a reminder! I need to get some springs and a retainer cap from what I found so time to get some parts.