1965 Massey Ferguson 135

The picture shows some of the preparation of the main train of the tractor for blasting prior to painting. This requires great care and attention to detail because blasting shot really is not very kind to threads, engines, transmissions, clutches and hydraulics. These must all be protected. By leaving nothing to chance we are certain that there will be no contact with these areas. A combination of tapered rubber bungs, purpose cut wooden covers sealed with polyurethane based sealer (doesn’t react with the paint) and duct tape are used too ensure good seals. Threaded holes simply get a bolt inserted and exposed bolts are easily covered with piece of pipe secured with a nut. The shot blast operator at Maine Surface Finishing is very sensitive to vulnerable parts of the job and will treat them with caution. Again preparation is the key and nothing is left to chance.

1965 Massey Ferguson 135

Some of the parts have been blasted and painted stonleigh grey. We believe in removing and seperating as many parts as possible so that all rust and old paint will be removed in the blasting process and everything will be properly painted. Otherwise rust on surfaces between joined parts will persist and will quickly show through the new paint work after the first rain shower. Maine Surface Finishing like to receive the tractor in 3 seperate lots - firstly all removed parts for grey painting in a large box, secondly the main trunk of the tractor on our unique wheeled frame and thirdly all parts for painting red. Thus nothing gets lost, everything is the right colour, neither paint nor time are wasted a really quality finish is achieved.

1965 Massey Ferguson 135

The engine has now been refitted. We replaced the water pump, fuel lift pump and thermostat and now we will get some fuel to it and get it running. It was missing the domed plate in the bottom of the oil filter housing so the oil was not being filtered properly as the filter element was not sealed. Someone must have chucked it in the bin with the old oil filter, ages ago. You see you can never assume thet everything inside is ok! These are no longer obtainable so we will make one on the lathe. It tell us something about the perkins engine - it will keep going whatever the conditions! Unfortunately we have been distracted by having to do some urgent repairs to another 135 but life is not always simple.

1965 Massey Ferguson 135

Ah, Mollie is getting impatient and wants to see progress. Project should gather speed now that we have got the engine back. It got new pistons and liners, con rods rebushed, crankshaft polished, big end and main bearings, new oil pump, crank shaft and idler gear and the cylinder head and valves overhauled. Along with the new clutch goes in a new thrust bearing and carrier and new clutch cross shafts and bushes. Also, the injector pump and injectors were serviced by Tommy Wright in Ballymena

1965 Massey Ferguson 135

Some slack was evident in the steering box. Nothing to get alarmed about but we decided to overhaul it anyway. It was stripped down, cleaned, rebushed and the oil seals, gaskets and ball bearings were replaced in the bottom end. The steering column ball race was also given a complete overhaul. The result a nice tight and free moving steering mechanism. A new main gear lever replaced the worn one before fitting the steering box back on to the transmission housing.