MF 85--1959 with 242 CID 4 Cylinder Engine Compression Test

fredcope

New User
I will be working on a MF 85 with a 242 CID engine, and cannot find what the compression range should be on the engine cylinders.

All I can find is the compression ratio of 7.35 to 1; but I cannot read that on a pressure guage.

Also, I am having trouble finding a head gasket set for the e242 gas engine. I got my three manuals from YT yesterday, and the parts manual shows [on page 23 Engine Gasket Sets] that the 242 gas engine uses p/n 830 913 M1 .

This is a 1959 MF 85 Standard Gas, with Manual transmission tractor s/n is SGM 803762 [located under battery box on right side below the hood cover.

The seller tells me that PSI compression on #2 cylinder is in the 30s, and he says the head gasket is the likely problem. I am not convinced yet. I suspicion a possible burnt valve, a valve guide, or some valve related component. My gut tells me that this will wind up in a engine rebuild.

Any suggestions?[/b]
 
On most engines 80 is considered as borderline low and 125 to 150 as good.Is this the one that was in Fla?
 

2Tractors,
Thanks for responding. I had 150 in my mind, but could not find confirmation in my new manuals nor in a Bing search.

To my knowledge, this tractor is a long time Tennessee resident, but I will ask. What happened in Florida?

I will be taking pictures and some video of the MF 85, as I go along.

This old tractor is plowing furrows in my childhood. I hope to plant some memories in six little boys minds and hearts. Three little girls may even find this contagious.
 
If it's that low on only one cylinder and the rest are up to par, you're probably right on the valve issue. Cylinder leakage is next. You may get lucky and just have to pull the head.
 
Fred there was and 85 with tricycle frontend and with a loader in Florida for sell and I passed it up on account of its towing weight, now wish I had bought the loader at least.Just took a day trip to get 65 parts up in Pulaski,Tenn. yesterday.Good luck with the memories.
 
fred
contact montes equipment in illinois, they specialize in continental parts. do a search to find their website. i just got a piston/sleeve kit for my 85 from them. they usually have anything engine related. i got a head gasket from them as well. email me if you have more 85 questions i know were to find most parts for them and they are getting tougher to find.
scott
 

2Tractor, The Ballast weight on the 85 is 11,200. I am fortunate in that the gentleman that I got it from has a truck and trailer and is hauling it for me. Now that it is mine, I wish there were a dollar sign in front of that 11,200.

I spent the day on the Ford 861 bush hogging. I am going to have to put a radiator on it soon; but I want to get the 85 up and running asap.

I appreciate your help--enjoy your day.
 

ASEGuy,

I appreciate the confirmation, and hope it is in the head; but I am concerned that rebuilding the head will created blowby around the rings.

This is much like having a teenage daughter: you never have to worry what to do with extra money.
 

Willowbk,

Thank you for the lead--I will follow up on that. I also appreciate the offer about info, and I may need to email you a question or two along the way.

Guys, Memorial Day is not far away, and now is a good time to start thinking about those who paid the supreme sacrifice so we can sit here and talk freely of things we love and enjoy--it sure beats listening to the politicians' deceitful promises. God bless those who put America first in all things.
 
I would think the readings should be in the 100 PSI range, and would agree one cylinder missing is probably burnt valve.
 
(quoted from post at 12:52:06 05/03/14) If it's that low on only one cylinder and the rest are up to par, you're probably right on the valve issue. Cylinder leakage is next. You may get lucky and just have to pull the head.

[b:a1476162a7]ASEGuy[/b:a1476162a7],

I had not returned to the forum since your post. I thank you for responding. I do not know why I did not get an alert, but thank you.

I am trying to locate a vendor with a gasket kit for the 242 engine. The old tractor probably needs complete overhaul, but would like to pull the head and see how things look.

Do you have vendor info on someone who may have the gasket kit?

I am assembling a vendor list for any and everything on the old MF-85. Continental Engine parts guy talked like I may have trouble finding the parts, and I do not want to start something I cannot finish. He suggested that I check around.

Thank you for your assistance.

Fred Cope,
Nashville, TN
 


[b:73ff796b26]Willowbk[/b:73ff796b26]

Thank you for your referral of Montes Equipment.

I located their website, and have sent them an email.


Thank you,

Fred Cope
 

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