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1963 Massey Ferguson 35 Diesel Deluxe

kmakar

kmakar

Janitor
My neighbor has this sitting out in his field and I asked him about it. He said it was his Dad's and his Dad had bought it brand new in 1963. It was used up until 10 years ago when my neighbor needed a front end loader and couldn't get one for the MF, so he went out and bought a John Deere with a front end loader so he could work his 100+ acres. He told me the engine had just been rebuilt before it was parked (Perkins 3 cylinder diesel). I asked if he was interested in selling it to me and he said no, he wanted to give it to me for helping him (I trenched power and water lines out to his new shop / outbuilding). He said he'd like it if I could help him on his '69 Camaro he bought about 3 years ago and hasn't run in close to 20 years. I told him that'd be a project to break it down and clean it up and have the block machined and cleaned, then reassembly. He told me that wasn't a problem, his wife's family owns a chain of NAPA store franchises and they have their own machine shop, so whatever it needs he can get it done.

So here she is..... my "new to me" and as old as me MF tractor. I think it looks bad ass. I'll be pulling it home this week to start working on it in my spare relaxation time.

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kmakar said:
My neighbor has this sitting out in his field and I asked him about it. He said it was his Dad's and his Dad had bought it brand new in 1963. It was used up until 10 years ago when my neighbor needed a front end loader and couldn't get one for the MF, so he went out and bought a John Deere with a front end loader so he could work his 100+ acres. He told me the engine had just been rebuilt before it was parked (Perkins 3 cylinder diesel). I asked if he was interested in selling it to me and he said no, he wanted to give it to me for helping him (I trenched power and water lines out to his new shop / outbuilding). He said he'd like it if I could help him on his '69 Camaro he bought about 3 years ago and hasn't run in close to 20 years. I told him that'd be a project to break it down and clean it up and have the block machined and cleaned, then reassembly. He told me that wasn't a problem, his wife's family owns a chain of NAPA store franchises and they have their own machine shop, so whatever it needs he can get it done.

So here she is..... my "new to me" and as old as me MF tractor. I think it looks bad ass. I'll be pulling it home this week to start working on it in my spare relaxation time.

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At least there are no trees growing through it.

I see it has Spin-out wheels. The alternator is probably frozen, somebody converted it from 6V.

Welcome to tractor projects. Looks solid.
 
Nice ride! Dad bought a MF 35 gas tractor in the early 70s, I think it's a couple years later of a model than yours. Still have it over there, waiting for someone to give it new life. It's got the "multi-power" option, gives it a higher rate of speed along with a torque limiting free wheel, or downhill axle braking. He adapted a front end loader for it, and it's taken it's tole on the power steering unit, since the severe drag on the front steering with the added weight kinda taxes the thing. I've helped him rebuild that power steering unit once, it's a pain in the ASS!! It needs it again, and a host of other things, but it's a great tractor. The diesel is a fantastic unit, Perkins engines go and go and go. You'll be very happy with it!!
 
Had a Perkins in my bobcat 825 and it just ran great even when I abused it. The old Perkins engines are rock solid.
 
Chevelle_Nut said:
Mine is about the same year, was a 6V but was converted sometime in the past. Uses a GM alternator, I threw an old Chevelle one on it.
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From the factory it came with two 6v in series, but most converted to a single 12v as it had one battery under the hood and one on the inside rear fender, but the battery tray is missing on the fender so this one's been changed over to a single 12v.
 
Chevelle_Nut said:
I see it has Spin-out wheels. The alternator is probably frozen, somebody converted it from 6V.
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I really like the spin-outs. I hope they can be unfrozen if they are.

Id move the front axles back in close all the way in. Unless you put a loader on it.

They were nice 35HP tractors. MF was big in our area here back in the day. As well as Ford.
 
Before I buy anything for the MF, I need to determine the actual condition of the engine. He said it was rebuilt, but until she spins and starts I have no idea.

Had no key so I bought a new ignition switch with original style keys (looked like bakelite plastic on the end), then I'll have to purge the fuel system, put all new filters in, prime it, then try to fire her up.

If she fires up, then I'll get to work changing out all the hydraulic fluids and replacing the PTO seal which looks like it had been leaking.

Many of the body panels are rusted out, but they are easily purchased with aftermarket stuff.

I just think it looks so cool.
 
cage2592 said:
I really like the spin-outs. I hope they can be unfrozen if they are.

Id move the front axles back in close all the way in. Unless you put a loader on it.

They were nice 35HP tractors. MF was big in our area here back in the day. As well as Ford.
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It's not getting a loader. I do plan on moving the front wheels back in though.
 
Got the new key (with ignition switch), fuel system purged, cleaned the glass bowls and installed new fuel filters then added new diesel. Installed a new battery and.... nothin'. Finding all kinds of disconnected and broken wires and obvious "field fixes" that will require me to rewire it from scratch.

So I decided to just jump to the starter directly and yup, you guessed it, NG. Just pulled it out and the nose housing was broken off and I was like, awe man, now I'm gonna have to bust it all the way down to get the nose cone out. Luck be a lady and it was laying on and riding the flywheel, but the flywheel doesn't look so pretty. Looks like the starter gear remained engaged for some time. So I'll order a new starter and install it and spin the motor over. I did get 2 extremely slow revolutions out of the old starter before it died.

Pics of the flywheel and starter.

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Lisa and I were talking about the restoration and we've both agreed (without even discussing at all) that I won't replace parts unless I have to, but I want to fix what's there, straighten out the sheet metal (rust and all) and just seal it to keep the patina.

We both love the way the tractor looks and don't want to change it.

Lisa said it looks like me, rough on the outside but still has alot of life left. I agree.
 
kmakar said:
Lisa and I were talking about the restoration and we've both agreed (without even discussing at all) that I won't replace parts unless I have to, but I want to fix what's there, straighten out the sheet metal (rust and all) and just seal it to keep the patina.

We both love the way the tractor looks and don't want to change it.

Lisa said it looks like me, rough on the outside but still has alot of life left. I agree.
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I feel the same way, a lot goes bad sitting for all of the years plus some parts are not available. Amazing what I am having to fix on mine.
 
Chevelle_Nut said:
I feel the same way, a lot goes bad sitting for all of the years plus some parts are not available. Amazing what I am having to fix on mine.
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I can actually get just about everything for it (including all new panels), but we think it looks cool the way it is.

I'll just fix it mechanically and protect it from rusting anymore. Lisa said if I couldn't fix it (I don't see that as a possibility), she wanted me to put it out front as lawn art. She thinks it looks really cool and it fits in with old time Florida.
 
I was parked next to a rat rod at a recent show, and commented on the patina. He said lots of folks use a matte clear paint, but a better way is to rub it down with linseed oil. His really looked great and he sais he reapplies it every 6 months with a rag.
Just a thought.
 
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