massey harris 50 knocking

massey 50

New User
Hi everyone. I'm new to this forum. I have lots of
experience with automotive repair but none with
tractors. I recently purchased a massey harris 50
with the continental z-134 gas engine. The tractor
did not start or run when I got it. I was told it
ran when parked 2 years ago but after parking it the
previous owner was never able to get it re started.
I changed the oil, drained the gas, replaced the
ignition switch (the old 1 was broken), repaired
several broken wires and replaced the plugs. The
tractor now starts right up and runs. It idles fine
and sounds ok, but above idle it has a knocking
noise which sounds like it is coming from the front
of the engine. The knocking gets worse with engine
rpm. When I removed the oil filter I noticed gray
sludge inside the metal canister. Water? Metal? I
dont know for sure. It didn't feel too gritty. Also
the engine speed will gradually increase on its own.
The hole in the dash for the throttle lever is worn
and the shaft is very loose. When the lever is
pushed all the way up, idle, it comes back down a
little. Is there some kind of bushing that is
missing, or is the hole just worn? Is this a linkage
adjustment? Is this a governor issue? I have a
repair manual on the way. I know I have asked
several questions here and this tractor has several
possible problems. Is the knocking, and
governor/idle issue related? What should I
check/take apart first? I can provide more detailed
information if necessary. Any thoughts and help
would be greatly apreciated. Thanks
 
It's overhaul time, parts for the Z134 are still easy to get. My Z134 had a knock when I bought it (crankshaft was broke in two) but that is not common. Yours was probably caused by lack of oil changes.

On another note the Z134 is the oiling system is a bypass style filter system. The filtered oil get put back into the oil pan while the bearings get un-filtered oil.
This I what I did to the oiling system on my Z134 while I rebuilt it.
http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?t=1172934&highlight=z134
 
Thanks for the updates guys. I was afraid of that. Maybe it was just wishful thinking that it would be something simple. Its rarely that easy. I read on another post about the oiling system sending the filtered oil into the pan. I found plenty of rebuild parts on this site and others. Are there any kits I should stay away from, or 1 that's better than the rest? Looks like I have my work cut out for me. Thanks again for the help. I'm sure I will have more questions later.
 
Since most of the engine parts will be aftermarket there is probably only one company that makes most of the parts. These engines are relatively simple to re-build (I've done plenty of automotive engine rebuilds, and race engines).
 
A number of years ago I had a MH30 that had a knock in the engine. I fired it up to drive it to the shop and the dip stick flew out and the engine died. Got it in the shop and pulled he head and found #2 piston completely gone. Had the rod and wrist pin in the cylinder but no piston.
 

U A lucky guy? If so, maybe, just maybe, the front pulley is working loose, and that can sound just like a bad bearing. Trouble is, they rarely re-tighten with a box wrench, but need an impact hammer... which is a big job to take off the front clip to get to that point. How's the oil pressure? When it runs, can you feel a thump on the oil pan or side of the block?
Yes a governor starting to come apart will make noise too, grey oil will be water mix, but even dew can cause that. The throttle lever is the least of your problems, but all that is common and fixable.
On a new to me tractor, I like to drop the oil pan, scrape the gunk out of it, and tap the bearings with a soft mallet. You will know a bad bearing by the sound and reaction. My hunch is the patient isn't too bad off...
My MHF 50, when raising the 3 point, sounds like it is ready to explode, but leveling the levers again and she sounds sweet as a watch.
 
Tony, thanks for the reply. I dont think its the
front pulley. I already checked that by removing the
belt. Pulley was tight. I also ran it briefly
without the belt (to eliminate possible water pump
or alternator problems) and the noise was still
there. Yeah you can hear it on the pan and the side
of the block using a screwdriver. Its loudest near
the center. The pan is coming off tomorrow I think.
I will know more then. The oil itself looked ok (for
used oil) the gray sludge was only in the filter
cover.
 
I forgot to mention the oil pressure in my reply. So I'm not lucky and I'm forgetful. As to the oil pressure it is on the low side of the "normal" range at idle. The gauge does not have numbers (which I don't care for) it only has "low" "normal" and "high". I put 10w-30 in it when I changed it.
 
Mine was loudest in the center also, just hope it's not what I found in mine.
2135001_zpsac86a579.jpg
 
Maybe you will be as lucky as I was on the knocking problem.

TO35, developed a knocking noise at the front of the motor, I was ready to call a mechanic and prepared for the worse.

Old farmer friend came over to listen for the noise and look at the tractor. Like a Dr giving you an exam he when over the tractor motor area,

Then he looked at the large bolt that holds the pulley onto the crankshaft, ask if that was right as it appeared to have backed out about 1".

I said no it was loose, we applied lock tight to the bolt, he helped me tighten the bolt.

Like magic, the noise was gone, good day for me.

Note to file: he was the third person including myself that had looked and listened to the tractor.

So be sure it's not something simple like a loose bolt!!!!
 

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