Massey Ferguson F35x

[Jenkosowls]

After doing some body repair work for a friends boss i was then soon asked regarding doing a "minor" Tractor restoration for him so he could cut his small field. "In his own words all it really needs is to free the clutch up and a lick of paint" . Nothing mentioned that for 8 or so years it had been left outside uncovered the tractor itself is just over 50 years old. Using the world changing ferguson 3 point linkage system the tractor soon gained world wide recognition to which this very day the agco group still produce the tractor all be it differently under an indian manufacturer

The day it got delivered. 



First few things that became apparent was the lack of the clutch pedal movement lending to the clutch comment. Then the fact the steering had well no steering! Lastly after trying to Bump the tractor in gear the wheel just didnt move. This soon lead us to believe the engine was seized....

Back in doors put the battery on charge and sum things up 

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A modest 6,000 Hours on this 









After charging the battery tried turning it over the starter would engage but it wouldnt turn over. it slowly become apparent that the engine is seized. So the strip down began first impressions was the tar like oil!





Furry inlet 



once the head was removed it was discovered that there was water in a couple of the cylinders not much but enough. After a heating it up and couple of hits with wood and sledge hammer it still wouldnt budge. So a mixture of brake fluid wd40 and diesel was left in the bores for a week. 











old Style push rod system meaning you can remove the head and not worry about timing!

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Looking a little bare but then theres nothing on these to start with!



on to the cylinder head...



this tractor originally had a front loader on it the frame wasnt in good condition some cracked welds on it etc etc but the owner wasnt going to use it for that now so onto removing the loader fenders and frame



Lift comes in handy 



Frame in question 



loader fender and foot plates



Loader frame and roll hoop removed 





it was sat like this for a while. This was to do bit or research and see what the owner wanted eventually it was agreed that the engine with good parts backing would be rebuilt by me. To do a mid engine build new liners pistons piston rings gaskets etc etc was only £170 for genuine agco parts. 

[Jenkosowls]

So it was time to start removing the engine. what is a suprise on this was all the bolts werent seized and didnt require much in actual effort to undo a credit to when things used to be made to last



The dual clutch and fly wheel dual clutch so you can control changing gears and PTO seperatly



One engine removed



Timing end after remove cam and fuel pump to lift it on to the bench notice the tar like oil again



Bell housing showing thrust bearing and transmission and PTO shafts



Onto the clutch itself it was actually seized to the flywheel had to be prised off





First Clutch plate



2nd plate and pressure cover

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Then onto removing the sump. the sump itself is actually part of the tractor the casting is very thick and heavy!



The engine its self is a Perkins A3.152 little 3 cylinder engine used in many applications even to this day and built very well everything has a number or mark for ease of user and mechanic













Oil Pump Removed




Bottom Crank removed



Even after removing the crank the block its self is still heavy!

[Eeyore]

wow... thats a bit different but really interesting!

[Jenkosowls]

Onto check the crank bearings





Always the last one!





Then it was parts waiting time the crank was then sent off to be re ground as getting new main bearings only cost £15 a full set. The block was also sent off for acid dip to try remove corrosion in the water ways



New parts!

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Block back from acid dipping



Pushing the liners out



One did take upto 15 ton to crack but mainly 10 across the board




Cleaning the deck and sleeve recess to make sure they sit flat


New liners going in


Crank Came back so did the new main bearings and thrust washers


Caps going back on with locking tabs





The engine is commonly know as the "rope seal engine" and here is why 2 pieces of rope that seal the fly wheel end. left to soak in oil for a couple of hours



The old seals



And cork used to seal the Sump

[Niall]

Wow we actually have a real tractor project thread!

[Jenkosowls]

Rope seal housing cleaned up and housing gasket




Moving on to the clutch fork bearing






Moved on to the conrods ans pistions soon found out the little ends needed reaming to the gudgeon pins


New shinys Brand new cylinder head £150!




New Cam Followers


Transferring and cleaning up parts from the old head



New gaskets for combustion ports



All Done

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With out my guidance the owner of the tractor was buying panels. he ended up going for extended fenders over the original heavy duty fenders. this caused issues as then had to find the right foot plates to which he previously purchased the wrong ones. after sourcing the right one is then turned out the fenders where 2" short







taking a break from things then moved onto sorting the steering issue which ment battery tray and drivers console out



The "ECU"


Console reomved


looking into the steering box





soon found the problem at the end of the steering shaft is these ball bearings which go inside the barrle in the pick and moves against the shaft spiralling round pretty clever and simple system





Simple as it gets inside the box

[ConorTRG]

Nice project, what are you doing with the old head?

[mr_fish]

Winning project, right up my street!

[Kezzer30]

Epic just read this on my train journey to work love a good restoration, that old engine was well and truly dud haha

[THE_Liam]

Great project, nice to see something different!

[procta]

mint! that's what you call a proper restore! I bet its like a Meccano set!

[Poodle]

Brilliant project, love how cheap all the parts are.

[Tom]

Sod 306's, this is epic!

[E_KEL95]

Makes a change from a 135 that's for sure lol can't wait to see this finished

[306Dan]

proper job

[Rippthrough]

You know what photo is going on here when you update this don't you Jenks?

[Jenkosowls]

So Crank is in then on to the conrods and pistons and rings 





Oil pump Remounted







once the oil pump was on i could then mount the timing case 



then the sump 



Finished Rope seal casing



cam back in 



Shiny! 



so now the engine was on its way it was soon time to start with the body. problem being it would take days to get the bits prepped. luckily we have Phillip Watkins farming engineers Local so all the bits were sent off for shot blasting.



Head Gasket 

[Kezzer30]

Top work !

[Jenkosowls]

lift pump that runs off the cam 


cylinder head torqued down with valve terrain inplace



pump cleaned up in degreaser





Flywheel back from blaster so center bearing in place



tractor back from blasters 







more new bits 





tractor in red oxide







thrust bearing in place along with new return springs 





new injector nozzles 



New glow plug 

after much swearing due to lining up the 2 shafts and two clutches the engine was finally mounted 

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Steering box finally sorted 





Engine in primer 





onto the front spindles new bearings these were then sent off to be reamed 



front carrier and spindles in primer


dash in primer



And then some mighty fine Stone leigh grey 

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Thanks guys allot of effort over a relatively short time has been put into this

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wow... thats a bit different but really interesting!

Nice project, what are you doing with the old head?

going for scrap as its to far gone to be worth saving against cost of a new head 

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injection system in place



inlet on 



breather and water inlet 









Filters in place. (fuel Filter not up side down)



New levelling box 

[Eeyore]

wow thats come along brilliantly! well done!

[Matt-Rallye]

Really loving this! when i was in college doing my Land based service engineering course i had a '53 TED20 fergy i restored, wanted a TEF but the prices were crazy!

[1616six]

Really loving this! when i was in college doing my Land based service engineering course i had a '53 TED20 fergy i restored, wanted a TEF but the prices were crazy!

I did that course, I had a Mk5 escort to rebuild, until one of the 'special table' lads jacked it up by the sump.

So the project ended up on dismantling it and weighing the shell in, needless to say I got a distinction.