TEA tractor, new to me, see if we can get her running!

Hello, I have just received a TEA Ferguson from a friend, it was his father's tractor and he passed away 7 years ago, it has not run since. The engine is free (we cranked it manually), clutch feels right, the gear shift does not slip into the gear slots but does move sideways back and forth.

I believe it is a 1951 model, but maybe you will tell me differently. This is my first gasoline tractor, not sure what I'm getting into here.

Great to see you have a TRUE made in Coventry "Ferguson"...

As you proceed forwards,you shall encounter Individuals here on "YT" whom are very experienced and helpful TEA-20 owners...?

There are "YT" members who may not own a TEA-20,and are extremely knowledgeable individuals who can and shall certainly assist you...

May I ask....where you reside / call home?.? Makes a big difference, not all Nations are experienced in and with the Ferguson "TEA-20".....

Is your machine an original 6-Volt electrical system...? 6-Volt electrical system converted to 12 Volts...? 12 Volt electrical original system...?

The two fine looking individuals on your TEA-20 have all the appearance of a pair of fine helpers...........

Bob. North Western Alberta Canada...Owner..Daily driver... TEA-20 S # 182991 and several Parts TEA-20's

Have you pulled the plugs and lubed the cylinders?
Changed fluids?
New coolant?
Drained the gas tank?
Fresh gas?
New battery?
File the points? Re-gap?
With plugs out and oil in cylinders, Rags over plug holes and crank it to blow out excess oil.
Install plugs, open fuel and crank. It should start.

First, congrats on the tractor. The difficulty of the TE tractors is the electrical system, Lucas components, parts are available through Canada and the
UK. A parts book will be very handy. I have a TE20, similar but with a Continental engine and Lucas distributor. The generator was changed out to an
alternator before I got it.

That being said, if you have fuel and spark, should run.

The air cleaner suggests that it is a twelve volt model . There are no factory records for 1951.
Are you aware that these tractors start via the gear stick operating a heavy duty switch mounted on the bell housing ? There is no solenoid and the ignition switch simply turns the circuit on .
The sticky gear shift is common with these tractors , two problems may be the cause . The first is easy to fix , remove the gear stick and align the selectors through the hole , this sounds difficult but will be obvious when you get there .[b:bb77b60420] Be sure to disconnect the battery before doing this or you might inadvertently start it up in gear .[/b:bb77b60420]
The second cause is down to the selector rod guides through the transmission casing . These swell due to corrosion in the alloy casing and seize the rods . Lots of WD40 or similar stuff sprayed towards them through the gear stick hole and lots of wriggling of the rods will usually release them .
Ignition wise , the condensor is often the cause of a no start , so a new one might help , if the old one turns out to be good keep it as they are far better than new ones as a rule .

Thanks a lot for the replies, I will update as we go along, it could take us a while. Take care

(quoted from post at 03:21:34 09/04/19)
I believe it is a 1951 model, but maybe you will tell me differently.

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I think just about every farm around here had one of these old Ferguson tractors!

From the the Ferguson guide that I found the range of serial numbers for tractors made in 1951 was from 167837 to 241335, so it looks like you are correct about your tractor!

You should also be able to find the date code cast onto the tractor as well. Somewhere on the right hand side of the transmission case! I think it is "[i:d474f3fd49]day month last digit of year[/i:d474f3fd49]".

Fred.

(quoted from post at 13:19:33 09/17/19)

(quoted from post at 03:21:34 09/04/19)
I believe it is a 1951 model, but maybe you will tell me differently.

Click to expand...

I think just about every farm around here had one of these old Ferguson tractors!

From the the Ferguson guide that I found the range of serial numbers for tractors made in 1951 was from 167837 to 241335, so it looks like you are correct about your tractor!

You should also be able to find the date code cast onto the tractor as well. Somewhere on the right hand side of the transmission case! I think it is "[i:3e80ce7140]day month last digit of year[/i:3e80ce7140]".

Fred.

Click to expand...

Thank you Fred.

I am located in SW Ontario Canada, near Stratford

(quoted from post at 05:22:57 09/18/19)
I am located in SW Ontario Canada, near Stratford

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I'm "down under" in Australia!

We've still got my Grandpa's TEA-20 in the shed. I think ours is a 1953 model. Still starts and runs, but last time we had to tow start because the battery was flat!

Fred.