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.

1965 Massey Ferguson 135

As can be seen in the photo there is a lot of oil sticking around the inside the bell housing. This could only have come from the engine or the gearbox. The crankshaft rope seal has been replaced on the engine so there will be no more leaks from that side. As a precaution however we replaced the oil seals and gaskets in the gearbox. It was necessary to remove the gearbox as the drive and pto input shaft combination cannot be pulled forward and removed until the pto constant mesh gear is dropped down. To allow this to happen the pto driveshaft is pulled to the rear (after removing the bearing). Inspection showed the rest of the gearbox is in very good condition

1965 Massey Ferguson 135

Called with Colin Gillan, Ballymena today. He was asked to do a full assessment of engine condition and to refurbish/restore it to "as new" condition. The photos show new oil pump, pistons and liners. Some work to be done yet on cylinder head, injector pump and injectors. We are assured that the crank shaft is in good condition and new seals and bearings have been fitted. Colin has a high reputation locally for quality of his work and we are looking forward to hearing engine running. We will upload a video in due course.

1965 Massey Ferguson 135

The diff lock was seized solid. We had to remove the half shaft and housing then remove the mechanism, free it up and fit a new oil seal and bushes to the diff lock shaft. New gaskets were fitted to both housings. Before the half shafts are replaced new oil seals will be fitted at the wheel ends to prevent oil contamination of brakes.