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Massey Project

I have embarked on a restoration project  - a 1959 65 row crop diesel.  It is similar to the first Massey that I remember my Dad having - except his was a gas model.  I have a couple of pictures of the project tractor and a couple of my Dad's 65 and 85.  I'm not sure what year the originals were taken but would be in the early 60's.  My older brother is setting on the 65 with the cultivator and my sister and I are on the 85.  I look forward to picking the brains of all the experts that post.  Hopefully it's not too much of a late model.
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RE:Massey Project

Hey there.  Thanks for the post.  Your tractor is nearly 54 years old, and it's a Massey.  Nothing at all "too new" about that.  There is more and more interest in this "heritage iron" class of tractors, as those are what most of us remember growing-up driving - as shown by your great photos on your Dad's tractors.

Good luck with, and enjoy your restoration project.  Please keep us posted with in-progress photos along the way.

Happy New Year!

    JB

RE:Massey Project

I bought the tractor about 5 years ago figuring I'd get to start on it right away.  Well, life and kid's college expenses got in the way.  I had a bad leak in the fuel line coming from the secondary fuel filter to the pump so I could not get it started.  I used my compact 205 to pull it out of storage.
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RE:Massey Project

I got the tractor into the shop and started removing the tins.  Most are in decent shape for their age.  Removed the fuel line and since it was a low pressure line, I was able to have it silver soldered at a radiator shop.  Took a little cranking but she finally fired up.
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RE:Massey Project

The steering pedestal shaft was worn badly.  I was barely able to keep it between the ditches while going down the road.  This will have to go to the machine shop for sure.  Got the tractor power washed and ran it around for a while before teardown.
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RE:Massey Project

Looks like you are off to a good start!

RE:Massey Project

The rear front axle pivot point is a bushing pressed into the casting.  The front pivot is easy to get to so it got greased often and shows little wear.  The rear is hard to get at and on this one was worn through the bushing and 1/2" up into the casting.  Found a different casting locally but it also has the hole elongated.  Obviously the pin on the axle tubes are equally worn.  Not sure what to do with these.  I could have them cast welded and remachined but am worried about loss of strength from the welding process.  Any suggestions?   Removed the wheels and supported the chassis for disassembly.  Originally I had some 3 ton Chinese made jackstands under the rear axle tubes.  As I was lowering it down on to them, one of the jackstand posts exploded.  Luckily I had the floor jack underneath the center section  and not laying under it.  I made up the wood blocks and bought a better set of jackstands.
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