This week we have been asked to do an engine rebuild on a Massey Ferguson 35. It has the Standard Motor Company 23C 4 cylinder diesel engine fitted and the serial number puts the date of manufacture at 1959. This engine model is well known by enthusiasts to be difficult to start and this one is no exception. When the owner bought the tractor the starter motor wasn’t fitted so the only way was to tow it off. We had nearly reached the end of the driveway before it started, although admittedly the gravel surface wasn’t ideal.
The gearbox, hydraulics and p.t.o. are all in good working order, although the engine definately needs some attention. The bonnet and instrument panel housing are both straight and sound (rare for a tractor of this age) and so have been sent to the paint shop to be resprayed. The owner is taking the opportunity to rub down and re-paint the whole tractor whilst it is apart. It has all the makings of a quality renovation.
We are having the engine rebuild filmed for a DVD which will be released later in the year. It looks like it’s going to be good viewing weather you are interested to learn how to complete an engine rebuild yourself, or if you are just interested to see the complete renovation take place.
More on this project to come later…….