I found this 1961 Massey Ferguson 35 in Orlando and felt sorry for her so I took a chance and bought it with the intentions of a quick paint job and then use it to mow with. Boy was I wrong, I got it home and there was oil and antifreeze coming out of everything, nothing worked and it needed alot. I got started and this is where I am so far. New front tires and wheels, new gauges, battery, front main seal, sand blasted the body and a complete repaint, new decals, new fuel filters, de-sludged the motor, new seat and mounting bracket, new steering wheel and trim, replaced voltage regulator, new fuel sending unit, new manifold and exhaust, new water pump and fan belt, new hood ornament. So far so good, just lots of money and time.
John Reagan
Ocala, Florida
Ron Satcher says
I brought my ’61 MF 35 home in boxes a year or so ago. The engine had been taken apart and only about 90% of them were still in the boxes. The oil pump driven gear set screw had backed out, scarred the cover plate and burned up all moving parts in the Z134 engine.
TIG welded up the score marks and flattened it on a surface grinder. Full rebuild including rebuilding the rods, replacing valve guides and caps, water pump, everything electric including complete re-wiring, steering wheel, seat, PTO shaft seal, clutches, gauges, fuel sending unit, tach cable – well you get the picture. I also flushed the hydraulics, cleaned the pump screen, and put a kit in the carb, along with complete new exhaust. The filter canister was warped, so I put on the spin-off adapter and bought new front tires and wheels. It fired up on the 3rd revolution and purrs quietly. Zero hours right now, but it’ll be ready in a few more weeks for whatever is expected of a 37 HP tractor.
I spent a lot of time chasing parts and paying dearly for them, but it’s a labor of love since my dad has had a ’57 TO-35 (propane burner) since 1960. Just today, I finished the MF Red paint on the sheet metal and am waiting on my Flint Gray to arrive.