Best engine rebuild kit for MF135 Perkins Diesel

Who makes the best engine rebuild kit for the 3 cylinder Perkins AD3.152 diesel in my MF 135.

Hello Harry,
I'm currently rebuilding an engine for a Fordson Dexta which has a Perkins 152 engine and is almost identical to the AD3.152 in your 135.
I'm fitting a new block and gaskets which were supplied by a non-genuine parts supplier in the UK. The majority of gaskets so far have been OK except for the front and rear sump (oil pan) cork strips. To say that the ones supplied were cr*p would be an understatement. Even the Perkins genuine ones can be a little awkward to fit. These were visibly not cut parallel and not made from the original cork coloured and type material. It took me over two hours to fit these strips which were stiffer than the originals and would not remain in place. In desperation I fitted longer bolts into the sump holes and cut pieces of wood to hold the ends in place overnight whilst the cement went off. I can't help you with a supplier other than Bepco which I use in the UK (not on this occasion) but please ask that the cork strips are the correct cork colour and refuse the gaskets if not. The photo shows that the cr*p ones are of a slightly 'redder' colour. Similarly I would suggest using a genuine Perkins rear rope seal for the crank as I have had 2 non-gen ones fail after about 5 hours work.
DavidP, South Wales

Harry,

I got the kit from Yesterday's Tractors for my MF 205 diesel. The piston and sleeves came from the UK. One sleeve had a chip near the top and was replaced. We had a problem using the rings so I had to buy original style solid rings from MF for another $200. Main and rod bearings were from Bepco (UK). Valve kit was made in China. Also had all gaskets and seals, but the valve cover gasket didn't fit. I purchased the front and rear seals from the MF dealer also to be safe. So far the tractor runs well and no oil leaks.

Larry

Interesting thread. In the UK it is possible to get a rebuild kit from Massey Ferguson. I just looked it up and it would cost £230:40 inclusive of 20% VAT.
Now it seems to me that if there was something wrong with that kit, for example the seal problem cited by Dave then I would send it all back to them, (all covered in oil) and ask for a full refund. I would be prepared to take it to a solicitor should they refuse.
The case is a solid one in the UK as all goods have to be supplied "fit for purpose" and should any firm contest it they would be looking at refunding any legal costs incurred by the complainant, so they would be wise to refund. There are too many shoddy spares out there and if we stand together then we can make a difference. After all if someone has gone to all the trouble to make something in the first place then why not make it right? This is especially true of engine kits and the like where so much time and effort go in to making the repair.I have had my share of shoddy bits and I hate them.
Personally I use MF whenever I can and the quality is pretty good. I cannot however (yet!!!) vouch for their engine kits but that"s where I will go for mine.And if it ain"t right then someone will know about it!! Stick together fellas, throw the shoddy bits right back and make the makers do it right.

Hi,
All good valid points....now you know there's a 'but' coming!!!
Around 6 years ago I had a lot of trouble trying to reseal the brake slave cylinders on a French made MF 595. The first seal kits were supplied by Bepco and 'blew' literally on the first test application of the brakes. A second set was fitted with the same result. Examination of the seals revealed that the sealing profile was different. In desperation Bepco supplied a pair of new cylinders. They came in genuine sealed MF 10+ bags. On one, something on the rear face had been ground out. On the other was very clearly 'vapormatic' stamped in the metal.
These seals did not last either. In final desperation I purchased two 'old stock' genuine MF seal kits from MF dealer Mark Weatherhead and fitted them. Have not had any problems since.
Even with relatively fast moving items like an engine kit for a 135 for example there is no way that MF could manufacture a Perkins grade kit so they have to buy them from somewhere and I wouldn't mind betting that the now MF branded 10+ parts and the non-genuine ones come from the same factory in places such as Turkey. Most are satisfactory but instances like the rear crank seals where the parts look alike but you can feel the difference is something that you only learn through experience.
Off my soapbox now!!!
David P

I only use ATS england for my Perkins kits, they are an OEM supplier
so it is likely your genuine Perkins kit came from them!. Every kit I
have used has been excellent as are the other MF parts they supply.
This firm actually supplied Banner Lane with transmission parts. I
mentioned to my rep that there has to be a big market in US and he
was very interested, but I don't know if any kits have gotten that far
yet....
Sam

I have bought 2 complete Perkins overhaul kits from AG-Kits and was very happy with them and the price was very reasonable.

I would guess that a Perkins dealer would have the "best" parts since they made the engine, BUT they 'probably' have speced the parts to a jobber company that meets their specs. I don't really think that MF ever made Perkins engine parts, they speced them to a supplier that met their standards. I've overhauled several tractor engines but NEVER a MF, guess I'll find out in another 20 to 30 years ;-)

Has anybody ever tried the Fel Pro gasket sets for the Perkins
engines? I was just curious how they are made compared to
the originals. I've usually had good luck with Fel Pro or Victor
gasket sets....on the other hand whoever makes gaskets for
Tisco is junk in my opinion. I will not use them unless I
absolutely have to...and even then it will just be oil pan or
timing cover gaskets...NO head gaskets from them for me.

Yes but my point was that if you go to MF then you have much better leverage in getting your money back than some cheapskate operation.
As to engine kits perhaps an original Perkins kit is the best option. I didn"t realise they were available and if they compare reasonably favourably with MF then I would probably go there.
If it"s cr@p send it back!
Stick up for your rights.

Hi, couldn't agree more about sticking up for your rights and complaining where necessary.
The issues arise for me when an item such as the sump corks may be regarded as satisfactory by a supplier but for me as the person who fits them they are not as good as others. If anything goes wrong after it is me that the customer will complain to not the supplier.
Cheers
DavidP

I rebuilt a 3 cyl perkins last winter. I found the local MF dealer to be the best deal, as well as helpful. I was allowed to copy all the service tools I needed to do the job as well. If your crank needs any work at all, a new one is the way to go.