1969 MF 135 Perkins Diesel Rebuild

Gentlemen,

I bought a MF 135 with the diesel engine. It needs rebuilding. We can start it by pull starting it but it smokes and knocks like crazy. I want to rebuild the motor and while I have it apart service the clutch assembly. So YT has a complete engine kit for say $700. I went a saw a local reputable diesel mechanic and said: look I'll buy all the parts you charge me your labor to tear it down and rebuild it. He said if it was in running condition he wouldn't have a problem doing that. However, since it's in a no run situation he recommended that I buy a rebuilt short block and he would machine and rebuild the head and send the pump off for inspection/rebuild if necessary, you can't really trust that block. Or he said just buy a rebuilt long block. He says there's no way you can buy a good rebuild kit for $700, it's probably all Chinese crap! I went online and the warranties for a rebuilt long or short block are a joke. They really don't warranty anything if it doesn't run once installed! You're taking the same risk in my opinion. He ran into a situation where he rebuilt a big Ford to the tune of $12,000 and the block was junk It had oil in the water a week after start-up. They couldn't see it or inspect the leak because of where it was at. Something about a corroded oil journal. They filled the block passages with some sort of material so it would run, and it still runs today, they just can't work it too hard or it'll overheat. The owner didn't want to spend any more money on it locating a good short block.

So I'm a little scared now to A) buy parts online from YT although everything I've read says it's a non-issue, and the stuff I have gotten from them was good. and B) in a 50 year old tractor how common is a corroded block like the Ford one? I want to buy the kit and build it myself, but I'm short on time. I want it up by the Spring so I can use it this year. Do I sent the block off to get tanked, and the head to be machined with new parts. Re-assemble the short block with YT parts kit and roll the dice? Now I want to prove him wrong lol, but it is a lot of money to through at something and it not run in the end.

Buying a rebuilt unit online sounds like a risky proposition too. These little Perkins are virtually bullet proof in my opinion, but I ran into a similar situation over-boring a 1968 Ford 302 it had what they called a shifted core, thinner in some spots, and it would get hot. A higher pressure radiator cap fixed the issue, it never got hot again. Soooo?

Thoughts?

I would look for a different mechanic. He is looking to get retirement money. No way he can tell if the block is bad before he even sees it.
I've done a few Perkins engines and never seen one that was not rebuild-able. No matter what he does is going to cost you dearly. Imo

Hi, I would agree with Phil. It is extremely rare to find a 3 cylinder engine that can't be rebuilt. Time may be short for you but don't be afraid to tackle it yourself. We are here to talk you through any aspect of the rebuild. Absolute first step would be a genuine workshop manual, either MF or Perkins. Who around you have you got that could press the liners out and new ones in without going to your money grabber? Do you have access to a lathe or a local machine shop that could turn up a liner disc? The rest of the puller is simple. Can anyone local grind the crank and fit new small end bushes if needed? Do you have a means of lifting the engine out? In my 40+ years of involvement I have fitted several non genuine blocks without any real problems due to frost damage. I would by far have preferred to keep the original blocks had that been possible. I have never heard of a corroded journal was it? Unless you have a massive hole in the sude of the block or something equally major it is always worth trying to keep it original. All parts for these engines are readily available. Yes, ok, many may come from Chinese factories but if you buy from a reputable seller such as Sparex, Vapormatic or Bepco if you have them in the States then they will be about as good as you can get short of Perkins or MF boxed ones. And to be honest we don't really know where THEY come from. As said, we are here to answer any questions and give you whatever help we can.
DavidP, South Wales