Replace 144 with 152 dexta

moscratch · May 12, 2009

Hello, I have an old (and very tired) dexta with 144 engine in and have available a later (A3)152 engine from an MF135. Does anyone know if it is an easy conversion - do the mountings match up etc. I think that the 144 is a Fordson casting and the 152 is all Perkins?

Any advice greatfully received!

shaun wallace · May 12, 2009

The super dextas had 152 engines in them. 25 years or so ago needed some engine parts for super dexta couldnt get from ford so went up to massey dealer got them.

tiresntracks · May 12, 2009

The 152 in the MF was cast by Perkins. The 152 in the Super Dexta was cast by Fordson. I don't know if they're the same or not, even though a lot of the internal parts are interchangeable. Can you get both engines side-by-side and compare them or take some measurements of the important bolt hole locations?

moscratch · May 13, 2009

Thanks both, I know that the engine design is the same in the 135 and super dexta and that the periferal parts (injector pump, cold start system etc.) are different - it was, as you say, the mountings etc I was interested in. I can remove the dexta engine and then compare but I was hoping it might have been done before... The perkins version is actually out of my fathers 135 (he got a new (old stock) 152 for that).

I guess I may need to modify the front mounting but hoped that the back would just slot in... Was the gearbox on dexta and super dexta the same?

Time for some more google trawling!

Les Fenwick · May 13, 2009

Have heard of it being done but don't know the specifics!
We also have a MF35 152 spare engine waiting for our Super Dexta to get tired but....

Just by walking by it:
I believe that you will have to change the engine oil sump and so also the pump.
The tach/hour meter drives off the end of the camshaft on the MF and not the fuel pump and so rotates in the opposite direction. (Unless you plan on using the Simms pump and fuel system. Does your Dexta have a pneumatic or mechanical governor (after late Apr/62?)
Dextas and Super Dextas used the same bell housing and transmission although there was a change in the gear ratios in Aug/60, which would be for the Dexta only as the Super Dexta did not appear until Apr/62.

Cheers,
Les

moscratch · May 14, 2009

Thanks Les,

I think the front mounting locations are different too but I can't be sure until I stand them side by side. I hadn't noticed that the sump was not the same and I hadn't thought through the drive for the speedo. Oil pump is one of those things that it is a good idea to swap when you get a chance in my opinion so a new one will be part of the project.

I was planning to keep the injector pump from the MF 135 (and all the periferals in fact), I think that the 152 version in that is the higher reving version so I was looking forward to the extra horses (is it 44, there abouts in any case). I am also of the opinion that the simms pump with the pneumatic governor is not all that good - or at least mine has always been a little sticky. The 135 on the other hand I have been driving since I was 16, Hmm 16 years, and it has always worked well. In the uk you can drive a tractor at 16 but it's 17 for a car :lol:

I'll post results on the engine swap in case it is any help when you get around to your super dexta but it may be some way off - best not to rush these things!

Cheers, Mo

Anonymous-0 · May 15, 2009

The engine in the dexta was made by ford and perkins together, the shell by ford the innerds by perkins, if the shell can be made to fit the guts will suit, but you will not have a dexta or a massey. but will all the work be worth it, it would probley be just as easy to do are build of your dexta engine. just my two cents worth, Geroid

moscratch · May 20, 2009

Thanks Geroid, thing is my dexta has done nearly 9000 hours (and still starts eventually) and the engine has a cracked block (before my time) so I would need a new block and full re-build. Just too expensive. Also I have a perfectly good Perkins 152 available. I know the best thing would be an original engine but next best is keeping the dexta going and the extra power will let me run the bailer etc. (I guess mine is down a lot as top gear is onle for downhill...) Come to that I could buy another dexta for less than the engine re-build... I guess I'm not a purist, I just want a tractor that starts!

:lol:

richardinnz · May 23, 2009

I have done this, only the other way round. Use the Ford F3.144 oil sump, flywheel, front axle mounting, clutch housing. You may also need to change the thermostat housing and possibly the rocker cover, I seem to remember having issues with bonnet clearance, but it may be ok going into a Ford as it won't have a Diesel tank sat right above the engine. The waterpump may also need refitting from the F3.144 to get the fan to line up with the cowling. The rev counter cable may need replacing/re-routing to suit the cam drive on the AD3.152 motor. If your engine is an A3.152 it will be from a 35, the 135 used the AD3.152 Hope this helps.

moscratch · May 27, 2009

Thanks Richardinnz, that is exactly what I needed to know! It is the AD3 152 from a 135 and I had reached the same conclusion as you about the parts to swap (since my first post) - I just wasn't sure if the fixings would all line up for the sump, and say starter motor. I will certainly need a new rev counter cable and also (I think) a new rev counter or it will go backwards...

Cheers,
Mo

Replace 144 with 152 dexta

moscratch

New User

shaun wallace

Well-known Member

tiresntracks

Member

moscratch

New User

Les Fenwick

Member

moscratch

New User

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

moscratch

New User

richardinnz

Member

moscratch

New User

Similar threads