Tractor Restorations

[flusher]

So, I just bought a MF 135, don't know the year as the mfg plate is missing. It is really a kit. The engine is removed and apart. Came with a Ford front end loader.. It's all there. It has the Multi-power transmission and remote rear hydraulics.. Motor needs a bottom end rebuild.. The head was just done, as were the injectors and pump. Weirdly, it has 16.9-24 rear tires (need replacing) and has brand new front tires. I have ordered every part to rebuild the motor, including a new crankshaft, liners, oil and water pumps, etc, etc. Paid $980 for it. I hope to have no more than $3500 into when done.

I own a race car shop and have all the equipment needed to rebuild it.. But my customers are a little freaked to see the tractor sitting next to their expensive road-racing machinery.

So far I've spent $70 on the fuel to go get it, $1500 on all the engine parts and a power-steering kit. The tires should be around $850 for the pair..

It will not get a pretty restoration as it will be a working tractor, but everything that needs to work will get attention. I'm in California so it has no rust. I'll post some pics as I have time.. And I'll keep y'all informed as I progress.

-John

Have fun :thumbsup:.

My 135 is a 1964 MF135 diesel deluxe with multipower. It's been partially restored but needs some work in my shop (oil leaks at engine and pto shaft, new clutch pack). It's a field tractor that's been modified for work in the olive orchards around here. The rears are Goodrich 6-ply 18.4-16A rubber on 16" dia rims. The front axle spindles have been shortened to keep the tractor level.

Good luck with your restoration. Looking forward to the photos

 

[rgs03833]

I prefer to buy old iron that's running (maybe not running perfectly, but at least blowing exhaust out of the muffler). But I have my wish list of old tractors that I want in my collection. So when I find one of these I pounce on it, running or not.

Last non-runner I bought was a 1948 Farmall Cub. As soon as I can clear a spot in my shop, it's engine gets pulled and sent to the engine shop for a complete rebuild (low compression on all 4 cylinders). That Bolens GT1453 lawn tractor in the background in the photo is taking up space now (new engine, new seals all around including rototiller seals).

View attachment 251222

Last runner was a 1945 Oliver 60 Row Crop.

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It needed brake relining. Gear oil was like thick molassas when I drained the rear end. Needs new temp gauge. Otherwise it's pretty much parade ready as is.

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!

NICE !!!!!

 

[MasseyWV]

Now that I've actually begun the process of restoring my Massey 135 tractor, I find that it's a very rewarding experience. Thankfully, I haven't found many unexpected surprises. As you can see, it's a work in progress.

 

[Soundguy]

there's always surprises once you start taking stuff off and turning bolts.. and hardship cases yet?

 

[MasseyWV]

there's always surprises once you start taking stuff off and turning bolts.. and hardship cases yet?

So far, it's not been too bad. However, I did have some trouble with a couple of things. The steering wheel was stuck, and I had to cut and crack the hub to get it off the shaft. Also, the draft control spring clevis was stuck on the plunger shaft, and I had to weld the plunger shaft to the cup so I could use a pipe wrench and bar to unscrew it. Here's a picture of the draft spring assembly after I disassembled it.

 

[Soundguy]

sounds about like a ford then..

 

[Soundguy]

ps.. that's wher ethe adventure is.

nobody wants a paint and drive tractor..

 

[MasseyWV]

ps.. that's wher ethe adventure is.

nobody wants a paint and drive tractor..

Absolutely! For me, restoring it is as much (or more) fun than using it. Every day, I find myself slipping away to my garage, and tinkering with something new. Heck, I've barely begun restoring this tractor, and I'm already contemplating the next one. Perhaps an old Massey MF-35 will be next, or maybe an old Ferguson TO-35.

Yep, I'm hooked. :confused2:

 

[Soundguy]

one of my favorite tractors was a 'put together' ford 950

probably half the studs and bolts in it were broke off, stripped or gouged out.. I drileld out bolts, welded them out.. backed them out for 2 straight weeks after work. yes.. 14 days straight.. removing and repairing threads. happy to say I never once had to use an insert. everything was in an area i got the shank out without damage to the parent.. or where I could oversize and rethread.. or relocate.. etc..

 

[MasseyWV]

one of my favorite tractors was a 'put together' ford 950

probably half the studs and bolts in it were broke off, stripped or gouged out.. I drileld out bolts, welded them out.. backed them out for 2 straight weeks after work. yes.. 14 days straight.. removing and repairing threads. happy to say I never once had to use an insert. everything was in an area i got the shank out without damage to the parent.. or where I could oversize and rethread.. or relocate.. etc..

It's funny that you mention broken bolts. Last night, I was looking at the front of my tractor's engine, and noticed a timing cover bolt that apears to be broken off in the block. I won't know for sure until I eventually remove the timing cover, but there appears to be a decent amount sticking out so it shouldn't be difficult to remove if it is broken off.

I also discovered that my tractor has electroluminescent gauges. Rather than being illuminated by traditional light bulbs, they are illuminated by electroluminescence. It's difficult to explain how it works, so here is a link for a better description.

Electroluminescence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

All of the gauges work, except for the generator (amps) and water temperature. When illuminated, they have a soft green glow that looks really cool at night. However, I suspect that finding replacement OEM gauges (new or used) of the same type may be difficult and/or expensive, so I am considering the possibility of replacing them all with new ones. However, I'd like to have accurate hours showing on the tach so that could create a complication if I decide to replace them all. I'll try to take a picture of one of them later.