135

Hey guys, I registered here a number of years ago when I was working on my Ford 640. Back then I usually used rarefish383 as a user name. Well, I tried to log in a while back and couldn't remember my password. Nothing I tried worked, and every time I entered my Email it said some one was already registered to it. Sold the Ford, bought a Massey 135, and made a new Email address, so, I'm Back.

I bought this tractor from a friend. I think he said his Dad bought it new. They used it to bush hog the fields on the family farm. All they do now is hunt it, no crops. He said it's sat for about 3 years now, and he bought a new tractor, so it was time to let this one go. I gave him $800 for it. The tach works and is reading 2345 hours, think I'll put 10 bucks on that number! I put a new battery in it and the bendix went clunk 3 or 4 times before it engaged the flywheel. When it did engage it spun over easy, as it should. Put a shot of starting fluid in it and it started right up, ran a couple minutes and concked out. Pulled the carb and the float was stuck in the closed position. The float rod had some fuzzy corrosion on it so it wouldn't move. Cleaned it out good, blew it out too. Stuck it back on and it started and ran fine, purred like a kitten. Drove it all around the neighborhood. The one thing I really noticed is how easy it turned. Do these have an internal power steering? It does not have a hydraulic rod on the front end. It's an easy one hand turn. It also has wheel weights on the inside of the front wheels. Today I started it up and it coughed and sputtered, had to keep pulling the choke in and out to keep it running. I'm going to put a kit in the carb. I was thinking about trying one of the new ones on the bay, they are going for less than $200. But, they are so basic I figured I'd try the kit first. Then a tune up and fresh oil. Then I'm going to take it to my farm in WV to mow the 7 acre field. I'll be checking in when ever I have a question, and to check out the tractors here. Thanks in advance, and here's my 135, Joe.

It should drive easy unless worn bad. I have a TO 35 that steers very easy no PS. The
power steering will be built in steering box and have a pump front of engine. Looks
like very good deal for 800. You will like the MF. Very good tractors.

Not a bad deal for $800 I think you will like it more the Ford 640.

From this far it is hard to tell, but on a gasser, we should see the PS pump and hoses, so I think you do not have power steering, its just easy. Lucky you.
All but one of my Continentals want to start with a choke on a cold first start, even in summer, don't worry about it. They are cold blooded. If it still coughs, clean and check out the tank and filter, might be crut and water in there. Watch some you tubes of people rebuilding carbs- hard part will be re adjusting when done, so if it runs good the way it is, just keep it clean and keep the gas clean. The tires and wheels are worth what you paid for it. Good one.

Thanks, Tony. My friend recently put a new fuel tank on it, so that's clean as a whistle. The sediment bowl is spotless, no crud or water. When I cleaned out the carb, last week, I let it run till the gauge was up in the operating range before it ran well. Yesterday my cousin came over to see it and I let it warm up pretty good, took off down the block, and when I turned around coming back it started coughing, so I'm pretty sure it's the carb. I'm going to put a kit in the carb and then let my mechanic tune it up. I haven't had a timing light in years. If I was going to keep it home I would just get it close, but since I plan on taking it to my farm, 3 hours away, I want it tuned right. I'll keep a running update going. It was always barn kept so there is zero rust on the hood and fenders, so I was thinking about getting them painted before I take it to the farm. Any thoughts on powder coating? The nose is a little beat up, but those parts are available. I'm not looking for a trailer Queen, but I would like to keep it for another 20 years, Joe.

Well, I was looking at the water pump as it was running, and thought, wow, sure has a lot of wobble to it. A few minutes later I welt a light spray of water on my face. Yep, it's leaking. The radiator is pretty beat up. Think I'll get a new rad and water pump. Want this thing as nice as I can get it before I take it to the mountains, Joe.

Well if fuel system is good- then electrical is next suspect- old coils and condensers act up as they get warm- but the distributor getting sprayed with antifreeze don't help. A radiator shop should be able to repair it, and water pumps or kits are for sale on this site.

I pulled the water pump. It was wobbling bad, and leaking. How do you get the neck off the pump? Don't want to bugger it up beating on it. Should I buy a pump with the housing, or just the pump. I see after market ones cheap enough to get the whole thing, Joe.

The water pumps I saw for sale, with the pulley, have a short snout, Mine has a long one with a 6 bladed fan. Are there different pumps, or just some have the longer snout? Joe.

I have one just like it. 1965 model, first year. It turns very easy and does not have ;power steering, never need it.
Very nice tractor.

What is the "Snout" on the water pump called? Or is it just called the pump with pulley? I haven't seen one for sale with the long snout like mine, Joe.

I see they have the long pulley here. I just need to look at it closer to see how to get it off the pump. I didn't have time yesterday to see it it's pressed or keyed. Might get to it today, Joe.

It is pressed on, be careful if you pull the old one off because they break easy (don't ask how I know).

Thanks pt, I just gave it to my mechanic. He said he would press it off when he had a free minute, Joe.

Just ordered water pump, upper and lower hoses, carb rebuild kit, and tune up kit. Sticking with points. Maybe I'll try the Pertronix later. Got all but one item from YT. Thanks guys, Joe.

Looking at buying a 135 gasoline powered Massey Ferguson. It has a leaking oil pan gasket. How difficult is it to change. There are bolts on the front and back of it, do they get a gasket also? Or are they there for structural strength. The tractor seems to be in very good condition other than the oil leak.

Does it have the 3, or 4 cylinder engine (3 cylinder Perkins, 4 cylinder Continental). A pan gasket isn't too big of a deal.

Did tune up, plugs, wires, cap, etc. Waiting for water pump to show up. Going to change the oil. I've switched to synthetic on every thing else. What weight oil should I use. The main work the tractor will perform is mowing my 7 acre field on my farm, drilling a few post holes, maybe skidding some small firewood logs. It will sit on the farm for a month at a time. Plan on bringing it home after deer season to keep the driveway clear of snow. It should lead an easy life, Joe.

I run Shell Rotella 15W40 year round.

Thanks pt, I'll give that a go. I usually change my oil in all of my stuff the first warm day in spring. The oil in this one doesn't look too bad, starting to get black. While it's sitting, waiting for the pump, might as well freshen it up, Joe,

The new oil filter had an O ring and gasket. I didn't see where an O ring could be used and figured it was for a different application. Was I correct? I did install the gasket, Joe.