Questions about Engine on MF 35 (Need Help)

levi flo · Jun 4, 2019

Hi, I'm a first time Massey Ferguson owner and need some maintenance help. I recently bought an MF35 gasoline engine (I believe manufactured in 1961) and I'm getting oil in the spark plugs. The plugs are getting gummed up and the engine bogging down. Need help with some questions:

1. Is it common for the MF 35 to have problems with valve seals?
2. What should the dwell angle be on the MF 35?
3. What spark plugs should be used? (It had Auto lite 388 plugs and the guys at the parts store sold me Champion D21. Said it was the same. Are those right?)
4. What should the spark plug gap be on the MF 35?
5. What should the point gap be on the MF 35?

Agvg · Jun 5, 2019

Looks like the D21 should be right according to Google, but have you much blow by?

Agvg · Jun 5, 2019

Have you cleaned the air filter? Picture of the plug?

levi flo · Jun 5, 2019

I think i do have a lot of blow by. Definitely a lot of oil when i take the plugs out.

levi flo · Jun 5, 2019

Yeah i cleaned the airfilter and changed the oil in it. I didn't take a picture of the dirty plugs and i already cleaned a lot of carbon off of them I'll take a pic next time. Good idea.

levi flo · Jun 7, 2019

Do you know if it's common for the MF 35 to have problems with the valve seals?

Agvg · Jun 8, 2019

Not as I know of, but it's a very old machine so anything can happen. Does it run hot enough?

levi flo · Jun 10, 2019

I'm not sure what you mean. How can I tell?

def38 · Jun 10, 2019

Sometimes, older engines coke up their piston rings and blow-by results. Have you tried an oil additive? What oil are you using? Some oil consumption issues can be reduced with good oil and an appropriate additive. Have you tried a compression check? Also, an inspection with a borescope might tell you something about the cylinder wall surface. Lots of options for you to ponder. If it is valve seals, remove the cylinder head. If it is cylinder walls and piston rings? Different story.