TO 20 with a problem

[massey3520]

Hi guys my first time posting, I am a life long owner of a Ferguson 35 that my grandfather farmed with in the 60s and 70s and I still use today. But my question is I have this TO 20 that I bought several years ago with a rattle in the top end towards the front near the water pump or behind it. The tractor doesn't have allot of power and when you try to work it hard it will just cough and cut out. I was thinking I could get away with a top end rebuild and maybe a new water pump but am unsure about putting the time and money into it. I made a video of it so check it out and let me know what you think. Thanks, Matt. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoQ16INBx24&feature=youtu.be

 

[Jerry/MT]

Have you checked the valve lash? Excessive lash can cause a clicking sound.

Make sure that the initial timing is correct, the centrifugal advance is working properly and you have a FAT, BLUISH-WHITE SPARK, the color of lightning.

Make sure you are getting adequate fuel supply to be able to run at full power. With the tank valve full open, remove the plug from the bottom of the carb, holding a suitable container underneath the carb to catch the fuel. the fuel should gush out like a cow peein' on a flat rock. If it dribbles or is intermittent there is a fuel delivery problem.

If you have good fuel delivery to the carb you might consider pulling the carb, soaking it in carb cleaner for at least 24 hrs and cleaning out all the passages and then blowing them out with compressed air.

 

[drizler]

I bought mine with a supposed blown engine in 94 and still use it today with the one low cyl and rod starting to knock. Gonna rebuild this winter as I just got a new Massey 1736 yesterday. I pounded that thing all 4 seasons with almost no problems. One thing you will have problems with is the carb. I have literally opened mine up and cleaned it out and gone about my business twice . You don't need a manual really they are just that simple, and reliable. They do gunk up though.
FUEL FILTER. Here is the little **** that will make you tear out your hair and listen good on this one because it won't make sense. I had that wonder of early 20th century science go out on both of my tractors. It's a sneaky demon. The one on my old Farmall began acting up first it was the gasket not being quite square last time I drained it then it came back again and again. I finally removed and cleaned the entire disk pack in that one , nothing. I even pulled the t pack out and drilled out the center so it was straight down and it helped but still acted up. Finally it died on me pushing brush in a fire and that was it, GONE. No more bowl filter no more stall outs. I had seen off and on small issues with the one on my TO 20 since I owned it. Eventually having seen it all go away with the other I ditched the beast for a shut off valve and straight rubber line with a $3 clear plastic filter in it. That was around 2003 and I still use the same one. Never a fuel related problem ever again.
Your mileage may vary and you lose that cool double inlet system with the gallon of gas to get home but hey, the tractor doesn't die across the road plowing snow or pushing brush into a fire. It's worth a serious look. You can just unscrew it and replace with a pipe nipple and barb with a rubber line to at least test it to see if that's your issue. One other possibility is the vent in your fuel cap. Try running it with the cap loose and see if it still does it ( just don't have a lot in the tank to prevent slop out onto the hot exhaust right below). Also try running a steady diet of Sea Foam for a while in the gas which will help clean her out.