Questions about Engine on MF 35 (Need Help)

[def38]

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

Does the temperature gauge work? If so, what does it read after warm up?

 

[lpakiz]

If you can confirm that the valve stem seals are letting oil into the intake, they can be replaced without removing the head. It will involve some method of keeping the valve in the closed (up) position, compressing the spring, removing the keepers then removing each spring. The stem seal will be slipped over the top of the guide.
I bet youtube could explain it even better than this.

 

[def38]

If you can confirm that the valve stem seals are letting oil into the intake, they can be replaced without removing the head. It will involve some method of keeping the valve in the closed (up) position, compressing the spring, removing the keepers then removing each spring. The stem seal will be slipped over the top of the guide.
I bet youtube could explain it even better than this.

Agreed. Valve stem seals can be replaced without removing the cylinder head. Given the age of the engine and the potential for other valve train issues, I would remove the head and send it out for reconditioning. It is cheap and can buy some added performance and reduced fuel consumption. Also, it gives you the opportunity to replace the head gasket, inspect the cooling system and other components. What condition is the rest of the tractor in?

 

[levi flo]

Did a compression test. 120 on the back 2 cylinders, 90 on the front 2 cylinders. Thinking about a seafoam treatment, then a lucas oil treatment with some straight 40 weight oil, and adding non-foulers. What do you think about that strategy?

 

[Agvg]

How is the oil pressure at idle?

 

[def38]

Did a compression test. 120 on the back 2 cylinders, 90 on the front 2 cylinders. Thinking about a seafoam treatment, then a lucas oil treatment with some straight 40 weight oil, and adding non-foulers. What do you think about that strategy?

Add Rislone to the engine oil. Ad Techron to the fuel system. Run for a tank of fuel. Check engine oil. How does it look?

I have never had any good results using Seafoam. Rislone, on the other hand, is made to remove coke and carbon from piston rings and free lifters while cleaning valve train parts as well as conditioning engine seals. Techron with PEA removes carbon deposits from the engine, valves and other components wetted by fuel.

 

[radios1]

here's how to tell if it valve stem seals or piston rings.Valve Stem Seal - Function And Failure Symptoms an engine made in 1961 probably needs new rings too, depending on how many hours are on the motor. those 2 low compression cylinders make it seem more like bad rings..

 

[def38]

I personally don't care for the idea. Additives are often nothing more than snake oil treatments or band aids. Rislone might be good, but you're going to have to put a lot of hours on the machine for it to do any good, and those hours are going to have to be "working" hours. SAE 20W-50 oil might buy a little more time along with a step hotter on the plugs, but it's still a band aid measure.

Those two 90 readings might be the beginning of a head gasket breakdown. When you have adjacent cylinders with readings like that, you must always consider that possibility. Get things warmed up and do another test. If you get the same results, then put a very small amount of oil in each cylinder. Repeat the test. If you get the same results again, then you have a valve or gasket problem. If the results are a little higher and more even, then it points to rings as the main culprit. I would probably still pull the head at some point.

Good ideas.

More regarding the Rislone...any of you that are familiar with Hoppes #9 gun cleaning solvent will attest to its ability to remove deposits from firearms. Rislone uses similar solvents at appropriate levels to remove carbon, sludge, varnish and other unwanted deposits from piston engines, valve stems, lifters...anything lubricated by the engine oil. If piston rings are varnished/coked and not seating correctly, the Rislone can remove those deposits and restore compression. If the rings are worn, nothing but a ring job will restore factory compression but you will have a cleaner engine inside. As for how long will it take for the Rislone to work? If the rings are stuck, varnished, coked, it could take a 8-10 hours of working the engine to show results. I have used Rislone in modern engines as well as the older Ford 312 cu. in. V-8s which were notorious for coking rings. My '68 Buick 430 cu. in. V8 had a noisy hydraulic lifter years ago. The Rislone took about 3-4 hours to eliminate the varnish in the lifter and restore correct pump up.

Remember, your engine has likely seen a variety of lubricating oils of varying viscosity...some good, some not so good and an unknown oil change history. Old engine oils were notorious for varnishing and leaving deposits behind especially in engines operated under heavy load at constant throttle with some possibility of high engine temperatures. Try the Rislone.

As for adding higher viscosity oil, I would not advise that. High viscosity oils will not flow as well as 10W-30 for example and merely exacerbate the problem. Better oil flow is needed in an older engine.