rebuild old tractors

[Michelle K linnane]

Hi Guys
I would kill to find someone in NY state who could restore my MF 165. I love that tractor but due to age sometimes things break and it is down for weeks and I miss it when I do not have it. But it is not as much an issue since I bought a second tractor. But would love to have it look like the one that farm with junk has on his logo. It does not have that many hours but it is hard to get the PTO to engage and the loader is slower then my newer tractor for for just get out and mowing I love the Massey. But it would be wonderfully to have it restored and painted. Bring the old girl back to her former self. I feel the old girl is worth putting money into. I would rather do that then have a new tractor.
michelle Linnane
http://www.stonewallbaording.com

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Are you wanting to,

pay someone to do a turn key restoration? And if so, define "totally restored".

OR,

Get everything working right and give it a good clean up?



I started off with a tractor that was in near perfect mechanical condition. A few things got attention while I had various parts in disassemble. But over all, I didn't have anything major to do. (see photo #5)

Throw in an estimate of 250 hrs on ebay, craigslist, ect, looking for ORIGINAL parts, not REPLACEMENT parts. (ie, steering wheel center cap, top link, a gauge, and a few dozen other items)

Because the 100 series Masseys aren't "stone age" quite yet, there's still a better than not chance of finding used or NOS parts, and they are still popular enough that replacement parts are still VERY easy to get.

There was NO labor paid out on mine. There was a LOT of labor. Depending on the level of detail, there can be anywhere from a few days to several MONTHS of work. Even YEARS. No kidding....People spend that sort of time restoring tractors. My wife referred to mine as "his street rod" while I was obsessing over small details.


I still use mine quite a bit. The "resto" was 3 years ago. It looks like a 3 year old tractor... Oh well.

I'd start with a GOOD dealer in the area. (any brand, start by looking MF/AGCO, then ignore brand) They all like business. (should?) Most shops work on other brands. Find one that'll take care of ALL the mechanical issues. Cross that off the list. Then stand back and look at what you have, decide how much to spend on looks. That same dealer will probably know of someone in the area who paints tractors. (Lotta folks do that)

165's are great tractors. Sounds like it may be time for a clutch (pto & drive). A loader will be slow. The 100 series used a high pressure/low volume hydraulic system. (4.6/4.8gpm??) Loaders cycle slow. You CAN use a front mount pump, or a pto pump, but I'd learn to live with the slow cycle times.

As far as worth, I paid $4000 and change for my 150 in 1971. When I went through it 3 years ago, I spent about $3200 including a real bargain on tires. Again, ZERO labor cost. An "average" 150 will sell for about $4200/$4500 here. Nice ones bring $5500+. I've had a few offers, but don't consider some of them "legit". With 3 years work (450hrs), I could get "nice one" money still. Was it worth it in dollar terms? Barely, if at all. Your 165 should parallel that to an extent. Just don't look at it to be a profitable venture. It's not. It's just spending money.

I don't plan on selling mine. It's VERY reliable, efficient, and I'm familiar with it. Making it last another 38 years was important too.

 

[MFRED]

I seem to remember a shop in northern NY that did over a lot of IH tractors. I don't recall the name so I guess I'm not much help. Maybe an internet search, that's where I saw them.
FWJ is right, you can have someone clean & shoot it cheap, or have someone go through itfor quite a bit more.
It seems around here, a nice retired guy, that takes pride in what they do, will usually take on this kind of project for the sense of accomplishment.

 

[flusher]

Hi Guys
I would kill to find someone in NY state who could restore my MF 165. I love that tractor but due to age sometimes things break and it is down for weeks and I miss it when I do not have it. But it is not as much an issue since I bought a second tractor. But would love to have it look like the one that farm with junk has on his logo. It does not have that many hours but it is hard to get the PTO to engage and the loader is slower then my newer tractor for for just get out and mowing I love the Massey. But it would be wonderfully to have it restored and painted. Bring the old girl back to her former self. I feel the old girl is worth putting money into. I would rather do that then have a new tractor.
michelle Linnane
http://www.stonewallbaording.com

So you want a cosmetic refurb along with a few mechanical repairs--the pto clutch probably needs adjusting if you're having trouble shifting the pto into gear.

What things are breaking? How's the engine? Any funny looking smoke from the exhaust pipe? Any fluid leaks from the engine or transmission/hydraulics? Any funny noises from the engine?

Photos would help.

 

[Texas Blues]

Farm, that is a dang nice looking 150! Dont put that thing in a dirty old field, lol. TB

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Farm, that is a dang nice looking 150! Dont put that thing in a dirty old field, lol. TB

Too late...It's piled up over 450 hours since those pictures. Mostly bush hogging, but also hayin', about 25 acres of plowing, some discing and hauling a lot of firewood. I figure I'll paint it again in another 38 years.

Thanks!

 

[scott_vt]

Too late...It's piled up over 450 hours since those pictures. Mostly bush hogging, but also hayin', about 25 acres of plowing, some discing and hauling a lot of firewood. I figure I'll paint it again in another 38 years.

Thanks!

Good Evenin Bill,
Let me know what kind of Geritol youll be taken to make it another 38, Ill be wantin some of that magic elixor by then myself !

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Good Evenin Bill,
Let me know what kind of Geritol youll be taken to make it another 38, Ill be wantin some of that magic elixor by then myself !

Hey Scotty!


Well, on occasion, I get these pictures (via the internet) that make me THINK I'm young again.

If I do another 38, I'll be 100 years young. I'm thinkin' the ol' Massey'll be someone elses to paint that time.

 

[Michelle K linnane]

Hi Guys
I have found someone fairly local to me that does tractor restorations and repairs. http://www.antiquetractorsus/com/index.html

They are going to have open house take a look at some of their projects.

take a look at he link for building these folks cut throw own wood.

 

[Michelle K linnane]

oh nuts
I messed up the link also there is a tractor parts link check them out
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