MF 165 engine rebuild

rust-o · Sep 21, 2013

I've got a MF 3165 that has 7700 hours on it and is in need of an engine rebuild. It's got the perkins 4 cylinder diesel. Im not wanting to do a super indepth build, just the basic piston sleeves, rings, bearings, gaskets, etc. Im not sure i want to get into the valves...
Anyway does anyone have experience with the kits sold by YT? or are there other kits i should look at?
Are there specific things i should look for in a kit?
are there specific things i should do on the engine during a rebuild that may not be included in a kit?
In other words i need some advice on this project. In not ready to tear into it yet, got more work to do yet this year, but this fall before i really start feeding hay, i plan to get to it.

The main symptoms that make me conclude that it needs a rebuild are the following:
1 lack of torque, really lags even on small hills with a relativly small loads.
2 smokes, not black smoke, just grayish
3 quite a bit of blow by exaust out the crankcase ventalator hose
Hard to start in temps below 70...not 20, 70 pretty bad

Thanks for any advise you all give.

davemk · Sep 22, 2013

The issues you are having was the same thing I had. The rings were completely gone from the #1 piston. Two other pistons had busted rings.

I personally would not and did not rebuild the tractor without having the valves redone.

Boss Hog · Sep 22, 2013

Like Dave said - I would never consider a rebuild without doing the valves.

Welding man · Sep 22, 2013

Every one of these engines I have ever overhauled the valve guides were worn slap out. If you are not going to do the head, save your money and do nothing.Do you have the tools to R and R the sleeves? Can you mic the crank? There is a lot more to a good engine rebuild than parts. Don't even worry about parts until you tear it down and see what your are dealing with.

Tony in Mass. · Sep 23, 2013

I forgot how the old saying went exactly, but, stands to reason, new rings put more pressure on old valves. Visa versa? New rings and valves put more pressure on rod bearings. Which would put more pressure on the old mains... so it goes I guess... the time and money for a complete rebuild will be time and money well spent... 'in frames'... just ain't a rebuild in my book... just an in frame 'repair'.....

rust-o · Sep 23, 2013

Ok thanks for the replies, good point about the valves. I guess i should go the whole way and do it right, i dont want to be tearing into it a year from now to fix my work!
So I have never done a rebuild like this before, I have a good idea what all needs done, a few mechanic friends, and a mechanical mind (sometimes :] ) so i think i can do it. I would just take it to the dealer but im not intersted in paying a couple grand. I figure i can save $ if i do the labor myself.
1st step is to order the shop manual for the tractor i guess...
any suggestions where i should get that from?
...I hope im not getting myself into somthing begger than i can handle!
ah, we'll see how it goes...

Tony in Mass. · Sep 24, 2013

I just checked the YT store in the left column, they have all you'd need, and for some odd reason, about half the price of a gas engine kit! -5 bills? But you got to know the diameter of the crankshaft before you order the kit, can't guess at bearings.
Now, you must know SOMEONE who works on engines, gearhead kids, muscle car neighbor, does not need to be a massey engine guy at all. This is so easy to someone who does modern cars- or any cars at all. Tell them you do this job sitting on a box, not crawling on the floor. Yes, read and re-read the manual, check out you tubes on the subject, and let you friends go thru the book before they start helping. You will be fine.. lot of work, lots of things you will finally see that will need cleaning, paint, rpair, but no better time to tackle it.
BTW, check the archives on this page for pics and ideas too,

MF 165 engine rebuild

rust-o

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davemk

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Boss Hog

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Welding man

Well-known Member

Tony in Mass.

Well-known Member

rust-o

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Tony in Mass.

Well-known Member

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